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Wild    Rose.      (Rosa  carina) . 


Frontispiece 


Books  by 
MRS.    CAROLINE   A.   CREEVEY 

RECREATIONS  IN  BOTANY.    Illustrated 
Post  8vo $1.50 

HARPER'S  GUIDE  TO  WILD  FLOWERS.  $1.75 
Plates  in  color.    Crown  8vo net 


HARPER  *  BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS,  N.  Y. 


COPYRIGHT.    1912    BY    HARPER   ft    BROTHERS 


PRINTED   IN   THE    UNITED   STATES   OF   AMERIO 
PUBLISHED    MARCH.    1912 


* 


V 


t^ 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PACK 

Introduction vii 

I.  Plan  of  the  Book i 

II.  Characteristics  of  Some  of  the  More  Important 

Botanical  Families        6 

Glossary  of  Botanical  Terms 16 

FLOWERS    GROUPED    ACCORDING    TO    COLOR 

III.  Green,  Greenish,  Greenish  Yellow 20 

IV.  White,  Cream,  Greenish  White 38 

V.  Yellow,   Pale   Yellow,  Orange 147 

VI.  Pink,  Rose,  Crimson,  Magenta,  Red 243 

VII.  Blue,  Purple 298 

VIII.  Variegated  Flowers 37 J 

IX.  Vines  and  Shrubs 376 

HABITATS   OF   PLANTS 

X.  River  Banks — Brooks — Running  Streams — Shores 

of  Tide-water  Bays 457 

XI.  Swamps  (Including  Pine  Barren  Swamps),  Bogs,  and 

Marshes 461 

XII.  At  the  Seaside.     Near  the  Coast 466 

XIII.  Aquatics 469 

XIV.  Wet  Meadows,  and  Thickets.    Low,  Rich  Grounds  .  471 

XV.  Dry  Fields  and  Pastures.     Waste  Places.     Road- 

sides        474 

XVI.  Sandy,  Sterile  Soil        479 

XVII.  Weeds.     Escaped  from  Cultivation 482 


«*7   "fisss^ 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

XVIII.  Open,    Dry,    Rocky   Woods   and   Hillsides    .     .     .  487 

XIX.  Deep,  Cool,   Shaded,   Damp  Woods 494 

XX.  Parasitic  Plants 498 

THE    FLOWER    CALENDAR 

XXI.  March,  April 499 

April,  May 500 

May,  June,  or  Later 502 

June,  July,  and  August 506 

July  to  August,  and  Later 511 

August,  September,  and  Later 515 

September,  October,  and  November 517 

Index 519 


COLORED    PLATES 


WILD    ROSE.       (Rosa   canina) Frontispiece 

goat's  beard.     (Tragopogon  pratensis) Facing  p.  236 

FIREWEED.      GREAT  WILLOW-HERB.       (EpiloMum  angUSttfo- 

lium) "      274 

true  forget-me-not.     (Myosotis  scorpioides)     ....  "       328 

vervain.     (Verbena  officinalis) "       330 

bluebell,     harebell.     (Campanula  rotundifolia)  ...  "       352 

musk  thistle.     (Carduus  nutans) "      366 

bachelor's  button,    corn-flower.    (Centaur ea  Cyanus) 

(Centaurea  Jacea) "       368 


INTRODUCTION 


This  book  explains  the  easiest  way  of  telling  flowers  and 
plants.     These  ways  are  based  upon  the  new  classification. 

This  classification  is  the  one  presented  in  the  seventh  edi- 
tion of  Gray's  Manual  of  Botany,  published  in  1908.  It  em- 
bodies the  decisions  of  the  Vienna  Congress  of  1905.  The 
Congress  came  to  an  agreement  respecting  the  botanical 
names  and  classifications  of  American  flowers,  which  we 
hope  will  not  need  to  be  revised.  Some  old  names,  dear  to 
us,  have  come  back.  Greater  simplicity  as  well  as  perma- 
nency has  been  aimed  for. 

The  first  way  of  telling  flowers  is  by  color.  It  is  the  simplest 
means  of  identification,  and  to  this  the  most  space  is  given. 

Secondly,  flowers  may  be  identified  by  their  dwelling- 
places  or  habitats. 

Thirdly,  flowers  are  shown  by  seasons,  the  time  and  order 
of  their  blossoms. 

This  book  is  a  Guide  to  the  flowering  plants  of  the 
Atlantic  seaboard,  New  England,  the  Middle  States,  and, 
to  a  limited  extent,  of  the  Southern  States.  It  is  interest- 
ing to  note  the  wide  latitudinal  range  of  some  plants 
along  the  entire  Atlantic  coast.  As  the  climate  grows 
warmer,  plants  ascend  the  mountains,  and  New  Eng- 
land vegetation  reappears  two  thousand  feet  high  in  Vir- 
ginia. Plants  which  are  "local,"  and  but  seldom  found, 
the  size  of  this  book  excludes.  Plant  immigrants,  unless 
well  established,  are  not  enumerated. 

Taking  New  York  as  the  center  of  a  wide  circle,  any  per- 
son possessing  no  knowledge  of  botany  (except  such  as  may 
be  acquired  from  the  "Explanation  of  Technical  Terms") 
may  identify  any  flower  and  learn  something  of  its  story. 
There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  there  is  need  of  a  book 
complete  in  its  means  of  identification. 


HARPER'S 
GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO 
WILD    FLOWERS 


CHAPTER  I 

PLAN    OF    THIS    BOOK 

Few  dream  of  the  numbers  of  flowers  which  grow  all 
around  them.  In  a  short  walk  one  may  come  across  fifty 
species,  and,  sitting  upon  the  ground  in  the  woods  in  sum- 
mer, one  may  touch  twenty  or  thirty  without  moving. 

The  study  of  flowers  may  be  called  pre-eminently  a  vaca- 
tion pursuit,  since  the  summer,  our  leisure  time,  is  the  flow- 
ering season.  Walking  is  in  danger  of  becoming  a  lost  art 
unless  some  purpose  other  than  healthful  exercise  is  found. 
Let  our  little  friends  of  the  fields  and  woods  entice  us, 
and  their  acquaintance,  by  the  help  of  the  Guide,  will  prove 
a  fascinating  pursuit. 

It  is  not  only  the  names  of  the  wild  flowers  which  we  all 
want  to  know,  but  the  prominent  facts  connected  with  their 
life  history.     Such  facts  as  the  following  may  be  learned: 

The  red,  fuzzy  leaves  and  stems  of  the  sundew  are  neat 
little  traps  for  catching  small  insects  upon  which  this  plant 
varies  its  normal  diet. 

The  rich  colors  and  strange  shapes  of  orchids  and  many 
other  flowers  are  devices  for  securing  the  visits  of  insects 
which  are  useful  to  the  flower  as  pollen-carriers. 

Some  flowers,  in  case  they  fail  to  secure  insect  pollination, 
produce  "hidden  blossoms"  (cletstogamous) ,  which  have  no 
beauty  of  form  or  color,  but  which  remain  closed  until  after 
pollination  has  taken  place. 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Certain  plants  which  cannot  bear  too  great  radiation  from 
their  leaf  -  surfaces  at  night,  "sleep,"  that  is,  fold  their 
leaflets  together.  Examine  a  clover  leaf  after  dark,  and 
look  up  into  a  locust-tree  by  night.  The  latter  looks  as 
if  it  were  hung  with  strings. 

White  flowers  which  cannot  attract  insects  by  their  bright 
colors,  are  apt  to  be  strong-scented. 

Many  such  things,  more  marvelous  than  fairy  stories,  are 
revealed  to  us  in  the  study  of  our  common  flowers. 

Why  Do  Flowers  Have  Color? 

The  organs  concerned  in  the  production  of  seed  by  which 
flowering  plants  are  propagated,  are  the  stamens,  actively, 
and  pistils,  passively. 

Stamens  produce  in  their  anthers  pollen  grains,  which  must 
be  carried  to  the  pistils,  either  those  of  the  same  flower  or 
of  another.  This  process  is  called  pollination.  "Cross- 
pollination,"  the  transference  of  pollen  to  a  different  flower, 
gives  seed  greater  potency,  so  that  stronger  and  hardier 
plants  result  from  it  than  when  the  pollen  falls  upon  its 
own  pistil.  How  is  cross-pollination  to  be  obtained?  Not 
by  any  movements  of  the  flower  itself.  The  aid  of  some 
foreign  agent  must  be  invoked. 

In  the  evolution  of  plants,  flowers  and  insects  began  to 
appear  upon  the  earth  about  the  same  time.  At  first  the 
colors  of  all  flowers  were  dull  green,  greenish  white,  or  white. 
The  food  of  most  insects  is  nectar,  a  sweet  secretion  found 
in  the  very  heart  of  flowers,  which  by  them  is  converted 
into  honey.  Insects  fly  to  flowers,  dive  into  them  in  their 
efforts  to  secure  the  coveted  nectar,  and,  in  so  doing,  neces- 
sarily rub  their  bodies  against  the  upright  stamens.  If  the 
anthers  are  ripe  and  the  pollen  grains  are  free,  they  are  caught 
in  their  hairy  bodies  or  limbs.  The  insects  then  fly  to  another 
flower  and  leave  the  pollen  upon  its  stigma,  provided  that 
is  ripe  and  ready.  Many  flowers,  if  neglected  by  insects, 
cannot  produce  seed  at  all.  If  the  stamens  and  pistils 
mature  at  different  times,  or  if  they  are  so  situated  that  they 
cannot  reach  one  another,  self-pollination  cannot  take  place. 
Insects  must  be  attracted  to  such  flowers. 

That  insects  are  not  color-blind  may  be  seen  from  the  fact 
that    they   will    follow   to    their    undoing    "nectar   paths," 


PLAN    OF   THIS    BOOK 

streaks  or  lines  of  color  found  on  the  stems  of  some  insect- 
devouring  plants  which  lead  straight  to  the  smooth,  fatal 
rim  of  the  cup. 

Evolution  of  Color  in  Flowers 

Colors  of  flowers,  we  may  believe,  were  evolved  somewhat 
in  this  way:  A  flower,  hitherto  white  or  green,  showed  by 
chance  a  bit  of  red  or  yellow,  blue  or  pink,  perhaps  only  a 
streak  or  dot.  Insects  were  attracted  to  that  flower,  and 
it  was  pollinated,  while  others  lacking  the  color  may  have 
been  neglected.  The  tendency  of  both  plants  and  animals 
to  reproduce  marked  traits  of  their  parents  is  well  known. 
The  young  plant  springing  from  the  marked  flower  would 
probably  reproduce  the  color  rather  more  strongly,  and  its 
offspring  more  strongly  still.  In  time,  perhaps  after  many 
generations,  a  perfectly  colored  flower  would  be  the  result. 

We  therefore  judge  that  those  flowers  which  have  evolved 
color  are  high  in  rank.  By  the  rank  of  a  plant  is  meant  the 
place  it  holds  in  the  ascending  series  from  simplest  and  low- 
est to  the  most  complex,  the  most  highly  organized,  and 
the  most  successful  in  securing  its  own  dissemination  and 
propagation. 

Flowerless  plants,  the  algas,  mosses,  and  ferns,  appeared 
first  on  the  earth.  These  were  succeeded  by  "wind  lovers," 
flowers  like  those  of  pines  and  hemlocks,  which  are  polli- 
nated by  the  wind.  The  wind  blows  impartially,  caring 
not  at  all  for  the  fair  spread  of  the  lily  bell  or  the  soft  scent 
of  the  violet.  No  color  has,  therefore,  appeared  in  flowers 
which  are  pollinated  by  the  wind. 

"Insect  lovers"  alone  are  colored  and  fragrant.  Some- 
times dull  flowers  are  surrounded  by  red  or  yellow  bracts, 
as  in  the  painted  cup  {Castillcja  coccinca).  Night-blooming 
flowers,  adapted  to  night-flying  moths,  sometimes  keep  their 
petals  shut  in  the  daytime;  for  the  right  insect  isf  wanted 
by  a  flower.  Insects  too  large  or  too  slim,  or  in  any  way 
unsuited  to  the  shape  of  the  flower,  do  not  make  good  pollen- 
carriers,  and  the  methods  for  keeping  them  away  make  an 
interesting  chapter.  Flowers  adapted  to  flies  often  evolve 
fetid  odors  such  as  flies  like.  Bees  generally  avoid  the 
ill-odored  flowers,  and  turn  to  the  honeysuckle  or  clover 
blossom. 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

We  may,  then,  think  of  bright  colors  and  odors  of  flowers 
as  banners  hung  out  to  inform  the  insect  army  that  the 
feast  is  ready.  Since  most  flowers  have  not  yet  attained 
to  their  highest  condition,  white  and  greenish  colors  are 
predominant,  while  next  follow  yellows,  pinks,  blues,  and 
purples.  There  are  few  really  red  blossoms.  Dark  crimson, 
magenta,  and  crimson  purple  are  generally  counted  as  red. 
A  thousand  years  hence,  when  evolution  has  made  greater 
progress  among  the  plants,  a  white  flower  may  be  rare. 

Habitats 

The  influence  of  surroundings  is  especially  noticeable  in 
the  plant  world.  A  plant  born  to  wet  soil  will  not  flourish 
in  dry.  One  adapted  to  open  fields  will  not  bury  itself  in 
the  shade  of  deep  woods.  If  it  is  transplanted  to  new  en- 
vironments, it  may  vary  its  normal  type  in  the  endeavor  to 
adapt  itself  to  its  new  dwelling-place.  For  this  reason,  if 
the  soil  be  changed,  as  when  marshes  are  drained  or  fields 
cultivated,  new  plants  will  spring  up.  AVeeds  follow  the 
farmer's  plow.  When  the  forest  disappears,  the  forest 
flora  will  also  go.  Build  a  road  and  see  the  typical  roadside 
plants  spring  up  along  its  borders.  Certain  "fireweeds" 
cover  burnt-over  districts  as  if  by  magic.  Whence  come 
the  new  plants  ?  Do  their  seeds  always  lie  in  the  soil  wait- 
ing for  favorable  conditions?  The  "alternation  of  crops" 
which  farmers  find  so  useful  to  their  soil  and  harvests  may 
have  its  suggestive  prototype  in  nature. 

The  Flower  Calendar 

The  season  for  blossoming  remains  unchanged  for  every 
plant,  forming  a  never-failing  flower  calendar.  Thoreau  says 
that  if  he  were  waked  up  from  a  long  winter's  nap  and  placed 
in  the  woods  or  fields,  by  seeing  what  flowers  were  in  bloom 
around  him  he  could  tell  almost  the  day  of  the  month.  Not 
more  surely  does  the  first  robin  announce  the  coming  of 
spring  than  do  the  bloodroot  and  hepatica  peeping  from 
under  the  dead  leaves  of  the  woods.  The  spring  flowers  fade 
and  are  succeeded  by  those  that  like  the  hot  sun  of  July  and 
August.  Asters  and  hawkweeds  tell  of  the  coming  of 
autumn,  the  end  of  the  flower  season,  and  the  approach  of 
winter. 


PLAN    OF   THIS    BOOK 

Nomenclature 

The  botanical  names  in  this  book  follow  the  seventh  edition 
of  Gray's  Manual.  The  custom  now  is  to  drop  capitals  from 
geographical  adjectives  in  writing  specific  names.  They  are 
retained  in  names  derived  from  those  of  persons.  Thus  we 
write  canadensis ,  but  Beckii. 

Accents  teach  correct  pronunciation,  a  matter  of  some 
difficulty  in  botanical  names.  The  acute  accent  (  / )  means 
the  short  sound  of  the  vowel  of  the  accented  syllable;  the 
grave  (s  ),  the  long  sound. 

The  illustrations  are  those,  with  a  few  added,  which  were 
drawn  for  The  Flowers  of  Field,  Hill,  and  Swamp  by  the 
etcher  and  artist,  the  late  Benjamin  Lander.  His  work  has 
won  deserved  admiration. 

Some  plants  in  this  book  are  illustrated  with  excellent 
colored  plates.  For  purposes  of  identification,  color  draw- 
ings are  invaluable.  Flower  lovers  hope  for  a  cheap  and 
easy  process  of  tinted  photography,  some  day,  by  which 
all  plants  may  be  represented  by  their  colors  as  well  as 
forms. 

The  arrangement  of  species  in  the  different  chapters  is 
from  those  of  lowest  rank,  through  those  still  higher,  to  the 
composites,  the  highest  of  all  the  families  in  rank. 


CHAPTER   II 

CHARACTERISTICS   OF    SOME    OP    THE   MORE    IMPORTANT 
BOTANICAL   FAMILIES 

In  classifying  flowers,  species  which  resemble  one  another 
are  grouped  into  genera;  genera  having  points  of  resemblance 
are  grouped  into  families;  these  into  orders,  sub-classes, 
classes,  etc.  Many  of  the  great  families  have  characteristics 
so  marked  that  we  can  at  once  relegate  a  flower  to  its  family, 
thus  taking  a  long  step  toward  its  identification.  In  the 
order  of  their  rank,  the  principal  marks  of  several  important 
families  are  given  here. 

The  Lily  Family. — Although  humble  in  rank,  this  Family 
enrolls  many  beautiful  flowers.  If  the  leaves  are  long  and 
narrow,  with  the  veins  running  their  entire  length,  from 
base  to  apex  (parallel-veined) ;  if  they  are  found  mostly  at 
the  base  of  the  flower  stalk,  only  a  few  whorled  or  scattered 
along  the  stalk,  the  plant  is  probably  a  member  of  the 
Lily  Family.  (There  are  exceptions  as  in  the  wild  smilax, 
which  is  net-veined.)  They  spring  from  corms,  bulbs,  or 
from  an  underground  stem,  rootstock.  The  parts  of  the 
flower  are  in  threes  or  sixes  (called  6-androus).  The  calyx 
is  not  distinguishable  from  the  corolla  in  size  and  color. 
We  speak  of  such  a  floral  envelope  as  the  perianth.  The  six 
divisions  of  the  perianth  may  be  entirely  separate  and 
spreading,  or  they  may  assume  a  funnel  shape  below. 
There  are  six  stamens,  one  standing  opposite  each  of  the 
perianth  divisions.  Ovaries  are  3-celled,  surmounted  by  a 
long  style  and  club-shaped  stigma. 

Besides  the  bright-hued  and  conspicuous  wild  lilies  proper, 
here  belong  many  of  the  spring's  early  and  delicate  flowers,  as 
the  dog's-tooth  violet,  star  of  Bethlehem,  trillium,  and  bell  wort. 

Orchis  Family. — The  orchids  which  are  seen  in  such 
variety  of  form  and  color  in  our  greenhouses  are  mostly  im- 


CHARACTERISTICS   OF    BOTANICAL    FAMILIES 

portations  from  tropical  countries.  The  Family  is  repre- 
sented with  us  by  several  of  our  dearest  wild  flowers.  Their 
structure  is  complicated,  but  can  be  understood  by  studying 
some  of  the  larger  members  of  the  Family.  It  is  especially 
designed  to  secure  insect  pollination.  The  perianth  is  com- 
posed, usually,  of  six  divisions,  the  three  outer  sepals  often 
colored,  not  green.  Of  the  three  inner,  the  petals,  one  is 
larger  than  the  others,  and  is  called  the  lip.  This  is  variable 
in  shape,  perhaps  prolonged  into  a  deep  spur  at  its  base, 
perhaps  being  a  sac  or  pocket  (as  in  the  moccasin  flower), 
perhaps  fringed,  always  a  conspicuous  part  of  the  flower. 
This  is  the  platform — the  front  door,  so  to  speak — for  the  in- 
sect to  stand  upon  while  pushing  its  head  into  the  interior 
as  it  seeks  the  coveted  nectar.  Cypripediums  have  two 
good  stamens,  with  the  rudiment  of  a  third.  All  other  genera 
have  but  one  fertile  stamen,  which  is  called  the  column,  joined 
in  a  peculiar  manner  to  the  style.  These  organs  are,  to  the 
uninitiated,  quite  unlike  those  of  all  other  flowers.  The  pollen 
grains  in  the  single  anther  are  collected  into  masses  called 
pollinia,  and,  if  an  insect  enters  such  a  flower  and  rubs  its 
head  against  the  ripe  anther,  the  entire  contents  of  the  anther 
are  pulled  out,  the  insect  flying  away  with  the  pollinia  ad- 
hering to  its  proboscis  in  what  would  seem  to  be  an  uncom- 
fortable manner.  Entering  another  flower,  the  little  creat- 
ure is  relieved  of  its  superfluous  burden,  leaving  the  pollinia 
upon  the  rough  or  sticky  stigma. 

There  are  7,000  species  of  orchids  known,  and  for  grace, 
beauty  of  form  and  color,  they  stand  unrivalled  in  the  flower 
kingdom. 

Crowfoot  Family.  —  This  large  Family  includes  some 
acrid-narcotic  poisonous  species.  Buttercups  cut  and  mixed 
with  grass  often  produce  a  sore  mouth  in  cattle  which  eat 
them.  The  calyx  is  sometimes  colored  like  the  corolla,  and 
often  the  latter  is  wholly  wanting.  There  are  many  stamens 
and  pistils.  Often  a  head  of  pistils  may  be  observed,  each 
one  producing  a  single  seed.  Some  species  are  aquatic,  and 
the  leaves  under  water  are  finely  cut.  All  the  leaves,  indee.  1 . 
may  be  much  divided,  as  in  buttercups,  and  the  flowers  may 
be  single  or  panicled.  Besides  crowfoots  and  spearworts, 
this  Family  includes  anemones,  hepaticas,  the  clematis, 
marsh  marigold,  larkspur,  and  columbine. 

7 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Mustard  Family. — Whoever  has  examined  the  flower  of 
the  little  yellow  mustard  knows  that  its  four  petals  spread 
open  like  a  cross.  It  has  four  sepals,  also,  each  one  lying 
between  two  petals.  Curiously,  there  are  six  stamens,  sug- 
gesting the  Lily  Family,  but  two  of  the  stamens  are  short, 
only  four  appearing  as  if  maintaining  the  flower  number. 
The  pod  of  this  Family  is  different  from  that  of  any  other, 
being  2 -celled,  with  a  partition  down  the  middle.  In  open- 
ing for  the  escape  of  seeds,  the  outer  sides  split  off  from  the 
middle  and  separate  from  the  central  portion.  The  pod 
may  be  long  and  narrow,  or  short  and  thick. 

The  flowers  bloom  in  spikes,  the  lower  ones  being  the  oldest 
and  often  maturing  into  pods,  while  the  tip  of  the  spike  is 
in  bud.  The  colors  are  yellow,  white,  and  purplish.  Shep- 
herd's purse,  cress,  black  and  white  mustard  belong  here. 

Rose  Family. — Considering  the  shrubs  and  fruit-trees 
which  belong  to  this  Family,  it  may  well  take  precedence  of 
all  others  in  importance.  A  rose  hip,  if  cut  open,  will  show 
the  stamens  all  clinging  to  the  inside  of  the  hip,  which  is 
really  the  calyx  tube.  The  petals  and  sepals  are  mostly  in 
fives,  but  stamens  and  pistils  are  many.  Underneath  the 
sepals  there  are  often  green  bracts  which  make  the  number 
of  these  organs  seem  twice  as  many.  Our  fruit-trees,  apples, 
pears,  cherries,  plums,  belong  to  this  Family,  and  their 
blossoms,  large  and  fragrant,  are  among  the  lavish  gifts  of 
spring.  Shrubs  like  the  hawthorn  are  numbered  here,  and 
the  luscious  strawberry,  juicy  blackberry,  as  well  as  the  wild 
rose,  with  its  dark-pink  buds,  make  this  Family  second  to 
none  in  fragrance,  beauty,  or  usefulness. 

Pulse  or  Pea  Family,  to  which  our  vegetables,  the  pea 
and  bean,  belong,  is  at  once  recognized  by  its  papilionaceous 
corolla,  so  called  from  its  fancied  resemblance  to  a  butter- 
fly. The  petals  are  so  different  they  have  received  special 
names.  The  large,  upper  one,  which  infolds  the  others  in 
bud,  is  the  standard,  generally  broad,  erect,  or  turned  back- 
ward. The  narrower,  opposite,  side-petals  are  wings.  The 
lower  one  is  considered  to  be  two  petals  united,  and,  being 
hollowed  and  boat-shaped,  is  named  the  keel.  The  keel 
usually  incloses  the  stamens  and  pistils.  Stamens  of  these 
flowers  number  10  (rarely  5),  one  being  free,  the  other  9 
mostly  united  by  their  filaments  into  a  tube  which  is  split 

8 


CHARACTERISTICS    OF    BOTANICAL    FAMILIES 

open  on  the  upper  side.  Through  this  split  the  pistil  pro- 
jects, later  the  pod  or  legume.  The  calyx  is  unequal!  . 
divided.  To  this  Family  belong  not  only  the  pea  and  bean, 
but  cassia,  liquorice,  logwood,  and  other  useful  plants.  N<  >ne 
is  poisonous.  Many  are  ornamental  climbers,  with  showy 
blossoms  and  graceful  foliage.  Their  leaves  are  often  com- 
pound, and  the  leaflets  may  be  sensitive,  folding  when 
touched,  also  many  of  them  "sleep"  at  night.  The  Pea 
Family  contains  herbs,  shrubs,  and  trees. 

The  Spurge  Family  contains  the  castor-oil  and  croton- 
oil  plants ;  manihot,  from  which  tapioca  is  made ;  and  rubber- 
trees,  the  latter  having  come  into  great  prominence  in  these 
days  of  automobiles  and  rubber  tires.  The  stamens  and 
pistils  occur  in  different  flowers,  sometimes  on  the  same 
plant,  sometimes  on  different  ones.  Such  flowers  are  called 
monoecious  or  dioecious.  It  is  a  very  large  Family  in  the 
tropics,  but  with  us  is  known  mostly  in  the  genus  Euphorbia. 
The  manner  of  the  flowering  of  this  genus  is  singular.  There 
is  no  proper  calyx  or  corolla,  but  the  flowers  are  surrounded 
by  an  involucre  resembling  a  calyx  divided  into  4  or  5  lobes 
which  are  colored  and  cup-shaped.  Between  the  lobes  are 
thick  glands.  Within  the  involucre  (once  considered  the 
true  flower)  numerous  staminate  flowers  are  borne,  each 
consisting  of  a  single  stamen  jointed  on  a  tiny  stalk  (pedicel), 
very  like  a  filament.  A  small  bract  accompanies  each 
stamen.  From  the  center  of  the  cluster  of  stamens  a  single 
pistil  is  raised  on  a  long  stalk,  the  pistil  consisting  of  a 
3-celled  ovary,  3  styles,  and  6  stigmas.  The  plants  contain 
a  milky  juice. 

Parsley  Family. — The  flowers  of  plants  belonging  to  this 
Family  grow  in  umbels,  which  are  frequently  compound, 
forming  umbellets.  They  possess  oil-tubes — minute  canals 
running  lengthwise  of  the  fruit — containing  aromatic  oil, 
which  can  only  be  seen  with  a  strong  microscope. 

The  style  and  its  stigma  develop  in  advance  of  the  stamens, 
thus  preventing  self-pollination.  Insects  carry  the  pollen 
of  one  flower  to  the  stigma  of  another,  both  of  which  happen 
to  be  ripe  at  the  same  time. 

The  stems  are  generally  hollow. 

The  plants  vary  in  size  and  color,  but  nearly  all  have  the 
umbel   form   of  blossom   and   the   compound   leaves.     The 

9 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

flowers  are  so  minute  that  they  are  difficult  to  study.  A 
professional  botanist  said  that  he  had  found  life  too  short 
to  spend  over  the  parsleys. 

The  fruit  is  single-seeded,  like  the  familiar  fennel  and 
caraway  seeds  which  our  grandmothers  used  to  take  to 
church  in  order  to  while  away  the  long  minutes  of  dreary 
sermons. 

The  vegetables  parsnip,  carrot,  celery,  and  parsley  are 
useful  members  of  this  Family.  Here,  too,  belong  the 
anise  and  cumin,  though  not  the  mint,  whose  tithing  has 
stood  for  punctilious  observance  of  unimportant  "  matters 
of  the  law"  ever  since  the  days  of  the  Pharisees. 

Many  of  the  roots  and  seeds  of  parsleys,  when  wild,  are 
very  poisonous,  and  acquaintance  with  them  is  desirable  for 
this  if  for  no  other  reason,  than  that  one  may  warn  children 
and  ignorant  persons  against  them.  None  is  poisonous  to 
touch. 

Heath  Family. — This  Family  contains  many  fine  shrubs 
as  well  as  herbs.  The  flowers  are  regular,  the  corolla  con- 
sisting of  4  or  5  petals,  or,  if  tubular,  as  many  lobes.  Stamens 
are  of  the  same  number  as  the  petals.  They  open  by  means 
of  little  holes  or  chinks,  and  this  is  an  unfailing  mark  by 
which  the  Heaths  may  be  recognized. 

Many  small  inhabitants  of  the  woods  are  heaths,  as  the 
wintergreen,  pyrola,  pipsissewa,  Indian  pipe,  and  bear- 
berry.  Here  the  cranberry,  of  Thanksgiving  fame,  belongs, 
also  the  blueberry  and  huckleberry.  Others  are  rhododen- 
drons, laurels,  azaleas,  and  the  fragrant  clethra.  Some,  as 
the  Indian  pipe,  are  parasitic  plants  without  green  leaves 
or  stems. 

Milkweed  Family. — The  construction  of  the  flower  of 
milkweed  is  so  singular  that  it  should  be  described.  Without 
the  magnifying-glass  one  sees  5  short,  pointed  sepals  hidden 
under  5  larger  petals  turned  backward  and  downward.  The 
next  row  of  bodies  standing  up  over  the  flower-center  may 
be  taken  for  stamens.  But  through  the  glass  we  see  that 
these  are  tubular  bodies,  colored  like  petals,  containing  a 
curved,  needle-like  hook.  The  latter  is  called  a  horn;  the 
tube  inclosing  it,  a  hood.  All  5  of  the  horns  lie  protectingly 
over  the  stamens  and  pistil.  Pull  off  the  hoods,  with  their 
inclosed  horns,  and  see  what  strange  things  the  stamens  are. 

10 


CHARACTERISTICS    OF    BOTANICAL   FAMILIES 

The  filaments  of  the  stamens,  united  into  a  tube,  stand  around 
the  pistil.  The  long  cells  of  the  anthers  open  lengthwise, 
often  in  bud.  The  pollen,  instead  of  being  in  grains,  is  in  a 
long,  yellow,  flat  mass,  one  in  each  cell  (in  shape  like  an 
apple  seed),  which  can  be  squeezed  out  entire  with  thumb 
and  finger.  Two  of  these,  from  different,  adjacent  anthers, 
cling  together  by  a  thread,  and  adhere  to  insects  visiting 
them  and  so  are  carried  to  other  flowers. 

There  are  seemingly  two  pistils  (really  two  ovaries)  united 
above  into  a  large,  flattish,  sticky  stigma  which  catches  and 
holds  the  pollen-masses  borne  to  it  by  bees.  In  the  flower  the 
pollen-masses  lie  too  low  for  its  own  stigma.  The  insect  visit 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  fertilization.  Now  perhaps  we 
have  found  a  use  for  the  hoods.  They  probably  collect  and 
store  nectar,  and  so  invite  the  insects,  upon  whose  help  the 
flower  is  dependent.  The  reflexed  corolla  could  not  hold 
any  nectar,  and  without  nectar  bees  would  pass  the  milk- 
weed by. 

The  Mint  Family  is  large  and  important.  The  general 
characteristics  of  the  Family  are  square  stems,  opposite  or 
whorled  leaves,  a  fragrance  given  out  by  numerous  oily 
glands,  and  a  fruit  of  four  achene-like  nutlets,  i  in  each  of 
4  visibly  distinct  divisions  of  the  ovary,  from  the  center 
of  which  arises  the  style.  The  corolla  is  a  tube  with  2  lips, 
each  lip,  or  sometimes  the  upper  one  only,  divided  into 
lobes.  A  square-stemmed,  herbaceous  plant,  with  the  well- 
known  minty  odor  and  the  4-lobed  ovary,  is  quickly  relegated 
to  this  Family. 

Many  of  the  housekeeper's  best  flavorings — lavender, 
marjoram,  thyme,  sage,  rosemary — belong  here,  as  well  as 
the  horehound,  catnip,  pennyroyal,  and  peppermint  which 
used  to  hang  drying  in  our  grandmothers'  attics,  the  most 
prized  belongings  of  the  home  pharmacy.  Whether  the 
drugs  which  have  superseded  these  simple  herb  drinks  are, 
on  the  whole,  more  conducive  to  long  life  is  a  question  for 
life-insurance  companies  to  consider. 

Composite  Family.  —  The  largest  and  most  advanced 
of  all  the  Botanical  Families  is  the  Composite.  It  contains 
one-tenth  of  all  known  species  of  flowering  plants,  one- 
eighth  of  which  are  indigenous  to  North  America.  The 
Composites  were  called  compound  flowers  by  older  botanists. 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

They  are,  in  reality,  many  small  flowers,  called  fiords,  united 
in  a  compact  head  called  a  disk,  upon  a  flat  or  conical 
receptacle,  either  with  or  without  petal  -  like  rays  circled 
around  them,  all  with  a  calyx-like  involucre  of  green  bracts 
underneath.  The  disk  of  the  daisy  contains  from  200  to  500 
florets.  Examined  under  the  magnifying-glass,  each  floret 
is  seen  to  have  its  own  tiny  calyx,  whose  tube  is  joined  to 
a  1 -celled  ovary  in  which  is  found  a  single,  dry  seed,  an 
achcne.  The  top  of  the  calyx  takes  different  forms,  a  knowl- 
edge of  which  is  of  use  in  classifying  the  flower.  In  the 
daisy  it  is  abruptly  cut  off ;  in  the  chicory  it  is  cup-shaped ; 
in  the  sunflower,  a  pair  of  rabbit-like  ears;  in  the  sneeze- 
weed,  5  scales;  in  the  thistle,  tufts  of  fine  hairs;  in  the 
dandelion,  such  tufts  raised  on  a  long  handle,  like  a  dust- 
brush.  These  developments  of  the  calyx -top  are  called 
pappus.  A  single  bract  grows  outside  the  calyx  called 
chaff.  The  corolla  is  tubular,  divided  into  5  points  at  the 
summit.  The  anthers  of  the  five  stamens  form  a  ring,  on 
the  inside  of  which  they  open,  discharging  their  pollen  on 
a  pistil  yet  unripe.  This  with  its  two-cleft  style  and  stigma, 
as  it  grows  and  elongates,  carries  the  pollen  with  it.  The 
insect,  hovering  and  crawling  over  the  florets,  collects  the 
pollen  on  its  body,  conducts  it  to  other  flowers  whose  pistils 
happen  to  be  ripe,  thus  bringing  about  cress-pollination. 

The  Composites  are  divided  into  Tubulifloras,  or  those 
with  all  tubular  florets;  and  Liguliflorae,  those  with  strap- 
shaped  florets.  In  many  of  the  first  there  are  ray  flowers 
arranged  along  the  margin,  which,  upon  examination,  will 
be  found  to  contain  a  pistil  only,  or  to  have  neither  pistil 
nor  stamens.     The  daisy  is  one  of  the  Tubuliflorse. 

The  strap-shaped  florets  have  flat  corollas,  as  if  the  tubes 
were  slit  open,  in  the  disk,  and  no  ray  flowers.  The  dande- 
lion is  an  example. 

Explanation  of  Terms  Used  in  Describing  Flowers 

Every  perfect  flower  contains  four  sets  of  organs,  arranged 
in  circles  at  the  top  of  the  flower  stem  or  axis.  At  the  center 
a  pistil  stands.  Often  there  are  several  pistils.  This  organ 
consists  of  three  parts,  ovary,  style,  and  stigma.  The  ovary 
is  a  small  sac  at  the  base  of  the  pistil  in  which  ovules  grow, 
(rudimentary  seeds).     The  style  is  a  slender,   hollow  tube 


EXPLANATION    OF    TERMS 

connecting  the  ovary  with  the  stigma,  and  it  may  be  absent 
without  impairing  the  pistil.     The  stigma  is  a  knob  or  head, 

sticky  and  porous,  at  the  tip  of  the  pistil. 

Stamens  surround  the  pistil  in  one  or  more  circles.  Then' 
are  two  parts  to  a  stamen,  the  anther,  and  its  stalk  or  fila- 
ment. The  anther  is  a  double  sac  (generally)  in  which 
pollen  grains  are  borne,  kept  while  they  are  growing,  and 
set  free  by  some  sort  of  an  opening,  as  a  slit  or  chink,  when 
they  are  mature.  A  pollen  grain  is  conducted  to  a  stigma 
by  an  insect  or  in  some  other  way,  falls  upon  the  rough, 
porous  surface  of  that  organ,  is  nourished  by  it,  grows,  sends 
a  branchlet,  a  tiny  thread,  down  the  style  into  the  ovary  where 
the  ovules  lie.  By  changes  in  structure  the  ovules  are  convert- 
ed into  true  seeds  which  are  for  the  propagation  of  the  plant. 

These  are  the  essential  organs  of  a  flower,  and  no  seed  can 
be  produced  without  their  union  with  one  another. 


WILD    GERANIUM    (GERANIUM    MACULA  ll'M) 

a.  Stamens;  b.  Pistil;  p.  Petals;  s.  Sepals;  d.  Pedicel;  c.  Peduncle 

13 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

The  floral  envelope  surrounds  these  essential  organs,  con- 
sisting of  corolla  and  calyx.  The  separate  divisions  of  a 
corolla  are  petals,  and  of  the  calyx  are  sepals.  The  petals 
make  the  color  and  beauty  of  most  flowers,  while  the  sepals 
are  generally  green.  All  these  organs  are  collected  upon 
a  receptacle. 

The  stalk  which  supports  a  flower  is  called  a  peduncle. 
The  stalk  which  carries  one  of  a  cluster  of  flowers  is  a  pedicel. 
A  pedicel  is  a  secondary  peduncle.  When  the  flower  stalk 
springs  directly  from  the  root  and  bears  no  leaves,  we  speak 
of  it  as  a  scape. 

The  way  in  which  flowers  are  arranged  upon  the  stem, 
whether  singly,  in  clusters,  elongated  spikes,  close  heads, 
etc.,  is  spoken  of  as  inflorescence.  A  clustered  inflorescence 
is  of  advantage  to  flowers  which  depend  upon  insects  for 
pollination,  as  they  thus  appear  larger,  show  more  color, 
and  can  be  seen  from  a  greater  distance  than  if  single.  These 
clusters  are  called  spikes  or  racemes  if  elongated,  corymbs  if 
flattened,  heads  if  rounded  like  the  clover  blossom,  umbels  if 
like  the  wild  carrot. 

Two  other  forms  of  inflorescence  should  be  mentioned,  the 
spadix  and  catkin.  The  spadix  is  an  elongated,  fleshy  axis  upon 
which  small  flowers  are  borne,  and  it  is  often  covered  by  a 
spathe,  a  green  or  colored  leaf  hanging  over  the  spadix.  The 
Jack-in-thc-pulpit  and  Calla  lily  are  examples  of  this  kind 
of  inflorescence.  Often  the  stamens  and  pistils  grow  in 
different  parts  of  the  spadix,  above  or  below.  ' 

A  catkin,  like  that  of  the  willow  or  birch,  is  a  spike  of 
flowers  in  which  each  is  accompanied  by  a  little,  dry  sort 
of  scale.  In  many  trees  and  shrubs,  staminate  and  pistillate 
flowers  occur  in  different  catkins  which  look  quite  unlike 
one  another. 

An  involucre  is  one  or  more  circles  of  bracts,  often  colored 
and  looking  like  petals,  surrounding  a  head  of  flowers.  The 
white,  showy  leaves  of  the  flowering  dogwood  blossom  are 
the  involucre  belonging  to  the  small,  dull  flowers  within. 

Leaves 

In  describing  leaves,  we  say  they  are  simple,  when  un- 
divided, like  the  leaf  of  a  chestnut,  or  compound  when  di- 
vided into  separate  leaflets.     The  leaf  of  clover  is  compound, 

14 


ILLUSTRATING    SHAPES    OF     LEAVES 

1    Compound,   Pinnate;    2.    Digitate;    3'    Lanceolate;    .1     Oblong; 

shaped;   6.   Arrow  shaped. 


.   Heart 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

and  may  further  be  spoken  of  as  trifoliate.  A  horsechestnut 
leaf  is  compound,  and,  being  composed  of  five  spreading 
leaflets,  springing  from  one  point  is  a  digitate  (ringer)  leaf. 
A  pinnate  leaf  is  one  like  the  ash  or  locust  trees.  The  out- 
lines of  leaves  are  smooth,  or  serrate  (like  the  teeth  of  a 
saw),  wavy,  incised,  dentate,  words  that  are  in  common  use. 

The  veinings  of  leaves  are  of  two  kinds,  parallel  and  net. 
Grass  leaves,  also  tulip  and  iris  leaves,  are  parallel,  the  veins 
running  from  base  to  tip  of  leaf  in  nearly  parallel  lines. 
Net-veins  run  from  one  or  more  prominent  midribs  to  all 
parts  of  the  leaf,  branching  irregularly,  interlacing  with 
one  another,  making  meshes  like  those  of  a  fish-net.  The 
veins  of  a  leaf  are  its  frame,  its  supporting  skeleton. 

A  leaf-stalk  is  called  a  petiole.  Leaves  which  are  joined 
to  the  main  stem  without  any  stalk  of  their  own  are  said 
to  be  sessile,  a  word  meaning  sitting.  Stipules  are  leafy 
appendages  found  at  the  bases  of  some  leaf-stalks,  large 
and  leaf -like  or  small  and  scale-like. 

Annuals  and  Perennials 

Annuals  die  down  every  year  and  are  reproduced  from 
seed  the  next  season.  Perennials  continue  to  live  year  after 
year.  Biennials  have  a  life  of  two  years,  storing  food  for 
themselves  the  first  year,  upon  which  they  live  the  next, 
dying  down  after  that. 

A  leaf  axil  is  the  angle  formed  by  the  leaf  and  its  stem,  on 
the  upper  side  of  the  leaf.  Most  buds  spring  from  leaf 
axils. 

The  foregoing  and  a  few  additional  technical  terms  are 
summed  up  in  the  following 

GLOSSARY    OF    BOTANICAL    TERMS 

Achcne  or  akene. — A  small,  dry,  indehiscent,  i -seeded  fruit. 
Anther. — That  part  of  the  stamen  which  contains  the  pollen,  usually  con- 
sisting of  2  cells  which,  when  the  pollen  is  ripe,  open  by  a  slit. 
Axil. — The  upper  angle  at  the  junction  of  stem  and  branch. 

Bloom. — A  soft,  whitish,  powdery  appearance  on  fruit,  leaves,  etc. 
Bract. — A  small  leaf  at  the  base  of  or  upon  the  flower-stalk. 

Calyx. — The  outer  flower-leaves,  usually  green. 

Capsule. — The  dry,  dehiscent  fruit  of  a  compound  pistil,  as  in  poppy. 

16 


GLOSSARY  OF  BOTANICAL  TERMS 

Chaff. — Bracts  or  scales  which  become  dry  and  thia.      Used  especially  of 

a  scale  accompanying  the  small  flowers  of  the  Compo  iite  family. 

Claw. — The  long,  narrow  base  of  a  petal,  as  in  pinks. 

Cleistogamous  —  Closed  pollination.     Applied  to   inconspicuous 
which  are  self-pollinated  before  the  bud  opens,  as  in  st<  : 
lets.      Such   plants    bear  other  more   showy   blossoms,    which 
often  fruitful. 

Corolla. — The  flower-leaves  standing  next  within  and  above  the  calyx. 

Corymb. — A  cluster  of  flowers,  flat  or  convex  at  top,  blossoming  first  at 
the  circumference,  last  at  the  center. 

Crenate. — With  roundish  teeth. 

Cyme.— A  cluster  of  flowers,  flat  or  convex  at  top,  the  central  ones  blos- 
soming first;   those  around  the  margin  last. 

Cymose. — With  the  general  inflorescence  of  the  cyme. 

Dehiscent.— Splitting  open  of  capsules  into  regular  valves,  for  the  discharge 
of  seeds.      Dehiscent  fruits  contain  more  than  one  seed. 

Disk  or  disc—  The  central  part  of  Composites,  as  distinguished  from  ray- 
flowers. 

Drupe. — A  stone-fruit,  as  the  cherry  and  plum. 

Filament.—  The  stamen-stalk  bearing  the  anther.  It  is  not  an  essential 
part  of  the  flower. 

Floret. —Diminutive  of  flower.  Applied  to  the  small  ilowers  of  Com- 
posites. 

Glabrous. — Smooth,  without  hairs  or  bristles. 

Inflorescence.— Flowering;  having  reference  to  method,  and,  where  there 
are  several  flowers,  their  relation  to  one  another  on  the  stem. 

I  nvolucel— When  an  umbel  of  flowers  is  compound,  the  bracts  under- 
neath  the  secondary  umbels  are  called  involucels. 

Involucre.— Leaves,  sometimes  petal-like,  as  in  flowering  dogwood,  sur- 
rounding a  single  flower  or  a  group  of  small  flowers.  Generally 
bract-like  and  green,  as  in  the  parsley  family. 

A'e^.— Applied  to  the  two  united  petals  in  the  front  part  of  such  flowers 
as  those  of  the  pea  and  bean. 

Leaflet.— When  a  leaf  is  cut  down  to  the  midrib  it  is  a  compound  leaf  ami 
each  division  is  a  leaflet.  Such  a  compound  leaf  is  that  of  the 
common  locust.  . 

Legume.— The  fruit  of  the  pea  and  bean  family,  usually  opening  along 
both  sutures  or  seams.  . 

Lip.— The   upper   petal   of   orchids.     Also   applied   to   each    division    ■ 
2-divided  flowers,  as  mints  or  figworts. 

Z/yrate.— Lyre-shaped.  Leaves  cut,  with  a  large  central,  terminal  lODe, 
and  smaller  ones  along  the  side,  as  in  some  mustards. 

Midrib. — The  central,  large  vein  of  a  leaf. 

17 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 
Ovate. — Egg-shaped.     Broader  above,  tapering  below. 

Palmate. — Leaves  spreading  from  the  tip  of  a  common  stalk. 

Panicle. — A  compound  flower-cluster,  irregularly  branching.  Grasses  and 
lilies  of  the  valley  are  examples. 

Papilionaceous  (corolla). — The  peculiarly  shaped  flowers  of  the  Pulse 
family,  having  standard,  wings,  and  keel. 

Pappus. —  The  calyx  of  Composites;  the  down  of  thistles  and  dande- 
lions. 

Pedicel — The  stalk  of  each  flower  of  a  cluster  of  flowers. 

Peduncle. — The  naked  stalk  of  a  flower.  When  flowers  are  clustered, 
their  common  stalk  is  the  common  peduncle. 

Perianth. — The  floral  envelope  (sepals  and  petals)  taken  collectively. 

Petal. — A  division  of  the  corolla. 

Petiole. — The  foot-stalk  of  a  leaf. 

Pinnate  leaves  are  compound  leaves  in  which  the  leaflets  are  arranged  on 
a  common  stalk,  which  answers  to  the  midrib  of  a  simple  leaf. 

Pistil. — The  central,  seed-bearing  flower  organ,  including  ovary,  style, 
and  stigma,  the  style  not  being  an  essential  part. 

Placenta. — That  part  of  the  ovary  which  bears  ovules  or  seeds. 

Raceme. — Numerous  flowers  on  separate  pedicels  upon  an  elongated  axis. 
Beneath  each  flower  is,  usually,  a  small  bract. 

Rachis. — The  principal  axis  or  stem  in  an  elongated  spike  or  cluster  of 
flowers. 

Receptacle. — The  tip  of  the  flower-stalk,  upon  which  the  floral  parts  are 
regularly  arranged. 

Rootstock. — A  prostrate  or  underground  stem,  usually  erect  at  apex,  root- 
ing at  nodes  or  joints. 

Samara. — A  winged,  indehiscent  fruit,  as  of  the  maple. 

Scape. — A  flower-stalk  arising  from  the  root,  without  true  leaves. 

Sepal. — Division  of  the  calyx. 

Serrate. — Like  the  edge  of  a  saw,  teeth  pointing  forward. 

Serrulate. — Finely  toothed. 

Sessile. — Sitting.     Of  a  leaf  or  flower  destitute  of  stalk. 

Spadix. — A  spike  of  flowers  with  a  fleshy,  long  axis. 

Spaihe. —  A  large   leaf -like   bract,   infolding   a    flower   cluster   or   single 

flower. 
Spike. — A  form  of  inflorescence  in  which   small  flowers,  sessile  or  nearly 

so,  are  crowded  upon  an    elongated  axis. 
Stamen. — The  pollen-bearing  organ  of  the  flower,  standing  next  outside 

the  pistil,  consisting  of  anther  and  filament,  the  latter  not  always 

present. 
Standard. — The  posterior,  large  petal  of  the  flower  of  the  Pulse  family, 

infolding  the  others  in  bud. 
Stem. — The  leaf-bearing  part  of  a  plant;   erect,  prostrate,  or  subterranean. 
Stipules. — The  appendages  which  sometimes  grow  on  the  opposite  sides 

of  a  leaf,  at  the  base  of  its  petiole.     Sometimes  they  sheathe  the 
18 


GLOSSARY  OF  BOTANICAL  TERMS 

stem,  as  in  buckwheat.      Sometimes,  as  in  clover  leaves,  they  ex- 
tend  along   the   leaf-stalk.      Often   they    are   like   small    leavi 
bracts. 

Umbel. — The  kind  of  inflorescence  which  includes  several  (lowers  spring- 
ing from  the  same  point. 
Umbellet. — Smaller,  secondary  umbels. 

Wings. — The  side-petals  of  the  papilionaceous  corollas. 


CHAPTER  III 

GREEN,  GREENISH,  GREENISH  YELLOW 

Arrow   Grass 

Triglbchin  maritima.  —  Family,  Arrow  Grass.  Flowers  :  The 
perianth  consists  of  3  sepals  and  3  petals,  all  alike  in  size  and  color. 
In  front  of  each  a  large,  sessile  anther  stands.  Pistils  6,  united 
into  a  compound  pistil.  The  fruit  splits,  when  ripe,  into  6 
carpels.  The  small  flowers  form  a  terminal,  long  raceme,  or  spike, 
the  stalk  or  leafless  scape  springing  from  the  root.  Leaves  narrow, 
fleshy,  growing  from  the  base  of  the  flower-stalk  which  they  clasp. 

Salt  marshes  along  the  coast  and  in  fresh  bogs  inland. 

Indian  Turnip.     Jack-in-the-Pulpit 

Arisaema  triphyttum. — Family,  Arum.  Color,  green.  Leaves, 
generally  2,  on  long  petioles,  divided  above  into  3  ovate,  pointed, 
stort-stalked,  wavy-margined  leaflets.     April  to  June. 

The  first  name  is  derived  from  the  bulbous  root,  which  is 
like  a  miniature  turnip.  Boiled,  this  root  is  rendered  edible. 
The  plant  is  more  generally  known  as  a  "  Jack-in-the-pulpit," 
the  Jack  being  a  spadix  bearing  stamens  and  pistils,  without 
perianth,  covered  by  a  single  folding  leaf — a  spathe  which 
overtops  the  flower  with  a  graceful  curve,  like  the  roofed 
pulpits  of  some  cathedrals.  Our  Jack  is  a  welcome  preacher, 
and  his  text  is,  "Lo!  the  winter  is  past;  the  flowers  appear 
on  the  earth."  He  stands  with  his  fellows  in  sentinel-like 
rows  along  the  edges  of  deep  woods  or  in  the  lighter-leaved 
forests.  Often  the  overlapping  spathe  is  prettily  striped 
with  purple  and  white.  The  fruit  is  a  gay  cluster  of  scarlet 
berries,  ripe  in  June  or  July. 

Green   Dragon   Root 
A.  Dracontium  is  a  species  in  which  the  Jack  grows  taller  than 
his  pulpit,  and  the  single  leaf  is  divided  into  5  to  17  leaflets,  all 
springing  from  a  common  center.     The  leaf,  on  a  long  petiole, 

20 


GREEN    GROUP 

grows  taller  than  the  flower,  the  divisions  being  long  and  narrow. 
The  spadix  tapers  above  into  a  long,  narrow  tip.  The  spathe, 
whitish  or  greenish,  is  long,  narrow,  acutely  pointed.  Staminate 
and  pistillate  flowers  in  different  plants.  Berries  reddish  orange, 
appearing  in  late  summer. 

Both  species  are  found  in  all  the  Atlantic  States. 
Green  Arrow  Arum 

Peltandra.  <virginica.  —  Family,  Arum.  Leaves,  arrow-shaped, 
large,  the  largest  2 J  feet  long,  the  lobes  at  base  long  and  sharp, 
margins  rolled  inward,  long  petioled.     May  and  June. 

A  common  plant,  growing  in  shallow  water  or  in  bogs. 
The  flowers  are  without  calyx  and  corolla,  being  a  collecti<  m 
of  stamens  and  ovaries  crowded  on  a  long  spadix,  covering 
it  nearly  to  the  top.  The  leaf  forming  the  spathe  is  long, 
4  to  8  inches,  tapering,  curving,  closely  infolding  the  spadix, 
fleshy  at  base.  Fruit,  a  green  berry.  Plant  springing  from 
tufted  fibrous  roots,  the  flowering  scape  but  little  shorter 
than  the  leaves.     Maine  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Skunk   Cabbage 

Symptocirpus  foetidus. — Family,  Arum.  Color  of  spathe,  green, 
striped  with  purple  and  yellow.  Leaves,  large,  broad,  ribbed, 
heart-shaped.     March  and  April. 

This  coarse  and  singular  plant,  with  its  ill  odor,  is  yet  of 
interest  because  it  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  earliest 
bloom  of  spring.  In  March  you  may  look  for  the  singular, 
lumpy  flowers  which  precede  the  big,  coarse  leaves.  The 
flowers  crowd  and  cover  a  thick,  fleshy  spadix,  which  becomes 
green  and  purplish,  long-stalked.  The  enveloping  spathe  is 
large,  broad,  at  first  completely  covering  the  spadix;  after- 
ward, as  the  fruit  matures,  decaying  and  falling  off.  The 
fruit  itself  is  a  singular,  repellent-looking  mass,  being  the 
spadix  enlarged,  soft,  spongy,  with  the  seeds  formed  under- 
neath the  epidermis.  Later  these  drop  to  the  ground  like 
small  bulbs. 

The  plant  leaves  are  clustered  at  the  root.  They  are  from 
1  to  2  feet  long,  and  nearly  as  broad. 

Notwithstanding   the   skunk   and   garlic   combination 
odor  which  this  plant  possesses,  and  which  often  permeates 
the  atmosphere   around,   insects,   including  flies,   buzz   and 
hum  over  the  flowers  with  seeming  pleasure.      Small  ii 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

are  often  caught  and  drowned  in  the  accumulation  of  rain- 
water within  the  channels  of  the  leaf-stalks. 

Sweet  Flag 
Acorus  Calamus. — Family,  Arum.  The  flowers  are  borne  on 
a  spadix  which  emerges  from  one  side  of  a  leaf-like  scape.  They 
consist  of  stamens  and  pistils,  with  6  sepals.  The  scape  is  much 
prolonged  beyond  the  flowers,  and  answers  to  the  spathe  in  our 
Jack-in-the-pulpit.  Leaves,  ribbon  -  like,  sharp  on  both  edges. 
May  and  June. 

Every  boy  knows  that  sweet  flag  root  is  good  to  eat,  es- 
pecially when  boiled,  cut  in  slices,  and  dried  in  sugar.  It  is 
the  creeping  rootstock  which  is  edible. 

Duckweed 

Spirodela  polyrhtza.  —  Family,  Duckweed.  Flowers  seldom 
seen.  Leaves  and  whole  plant  very  small,  floating  free  on  water 
without  stems  and  true  leaves,  the  latter  being  loosely  cellular 
bodies,  two  or  three  together,  dark  green  above,  sometimes  pur- 
plish beneath. 

This  family  comprises  our  smallest  flowering  plants.  The 
tiny  growths  cover  the  top  of  the  water  at  the  time  of  their 
vegetating,  in  spring  and  summer.  Each  flower  consists  of 
a  single  stamen  or  pistil,  springing  from  the  edge  or  upper 
surface  of  the  plant.     In  nearly  all  our  pools  and  ponds. 

Ivy-leaved  Duckweed 

Lemna  trisulca. — Family,  Duckweed.  The  leaf  (here  called  a 
frond)  has  a  little  cleft  in  its  margin  from  which  the  small  flowers 
spring.  Generally  there  are  three  flowers,  two  of  them  consisting 
of  a  stamen  only,  one  of  a  pistil  only.  The  fronds  taper  to  a 
point,  and  often  several  are  connected  in  a  sort  of  chain.  Com- 
mon in  shallow  ponds,  ditches,  and  springs. 

Bunch-flower 

Melanthium  <virginicum.  —  Family,  Lily.  Flowers  crowded  or 
bunched  at  the  end  of  a  tall,  unbranched,  leafy  stem.  They  form 
a  large  panicle  of  which  the  lower  flowers  are  staminate,  the  upper 
pistillate.  The  6  divisions  of  the  perianth  are  raised  on  claws,  at 
the  summit  of  which  is  a  large  double  gland.  After  blossoming 
the  flowers  become  brownish.  Leaves,  narrow  and  grass-like,  the 
lower  ones  clasping  the  stem,  often  a  foot  long,  growing  small 
toward  the  top.     June  to  August. 

Wet  meadows  and  woods,  beside  banks  of  streams,  from 
New  England  to  Florida  and  Texas. 


GREEN    GROUP 

White  Hellebore.      Indian    Poke 
Verdtrum  viride. —  Family,    Lily.      Flowers    rather    large,    in    a 
long,  dense  panicle  (from  i  to  2  feet  long).     Perianth  of  6  divi 
narrowed  at  the  base.     Stamens  6,  their  filaments  curved.      Bach 
flower  is  pedicelled,  and  lies  flat  and  open.    Leaves,  broad,  parallel- 
veined,  plaited,  clasping  the  stem  at  their  bases. 

A  plant  of  rank,  strong  growth,  from  very  poisonous, 
fibrous  roots,  found  in  wet  places  in  New  Jersey  and  south- 
ward, also  4,000  feet  high  in  the  Adirondacks. 

Field  Garlic.     Crow  Garlic 

Allium  vinekle.  —  Family,  Lily.  Perianth  of  6  distinct,  col- 
ored sepals.  Flowers  in  umbels,  often  accompanied  or  displaced 
by  small  bulblets,  tipped  with  a  fine  hair.  Leaves,  narrow,  hollow, 
long,  somewhat  grooved,  sheathing  the  flower-stem  below  and  as 
far  as  the  middle.  Scape  leafless  above.  Root,  a  coated  bulb, 
like  an  onion. 

Whole  plant  strong-scented.  2  to  3  feet  tall,  Flowers 
sometimes  purple. 

Rein  Orchis 

Ha.bena.ria.  flaw  a..  —  Family,  Orchis.  (See  description  of  the 
Family,  p.  6.)  This  species  may  be  recognized  by  its  square, 
cut-off  lip  (truncate)  and  long  spur.  Near  the  base  of  the  lip  is 
a  small  protuberance,  called  a  tubercle.  Where  the  lip  is  joined 
to  the  flower  it  has  two  arrow-like  lobes.  Flowers  arranged  in 
bracted  spikes.  Leaves  on  the  stem,  the  lower  broader  than  the 
upper,  all  pointed  at  apex.      1  to  2  feet  high.     June  and  July. 

Common  in  wet  grounds  in  the  Atlantic  States. 
Tall,  Leafy  Green  Orchis 

H.  hyperbbrea. — This  species  has  a  leafy  stem    on  which    the 
flowers  extend,  sometimes  below  the  middle,  in  a  long,  thi< 
loose   spike.     Lip,  narrow,  lance-shaped.     Spur,  about    equal   in 
length  to  the  lip.     May  to  August. 

Height  about  2  feet.      In  peat  bogs  and  damp  w<  »<  ds,  n<  >rth 
and  westward.     Found  4,000  feet  high  in  Vermont. 
Small,  Northern  Bog  Orchis 

H.  obtusata.— This  is  a  one-leafed   species,  the  leaf,  from   the 
root,  somewhat  broad.     Flowers  make  a  loose  raceme  ;it  the  top 
of    the    naked    stalk.     Lip,   lance  -  shaped,    often    turning    b 
Spur,  curved,  as  long  as  the  lip.     July  to  September. 

In  swamps  and  dam])  woods,  preferring  rich  soil. 

23 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Ragged  Fringed  Orchis 

H.  lAcera. — Flowers,  numerous,  in  a  loose  or  dense  raceme.  Lip, 
3 -parted,  each  of  the  divisions  conspicuously  fringed  or  cut  into 
narrow  segments.  Spur,  quite  long.  Leaves  on  the  stem,  broader 
below,  becoming  lance-shaped  at  the  top.  They  are  firm,  with 
veins  strongly  marked.  Stem,  i  to  2  feet  high.  Swamps  and 
moist  woods.     June  and  July. 

This  green  orchis  is  a  pretty  find,  in  early  summer,  in  the 
woods. 

Adder's  Mouth 

Microstylis  monophyttos. — Family,  Orchis.  Flowers,  small,  with 
narrow  petals.  Lip,  eared  (not  fringed),  slender,  terminating  in 
a  long  point,  roundish  near  the  flower.  Flowers,  in  a  raceme,  each 
with  a  short  pedicel.     June  and  July. 

A  single,  rather  broad  leaf  inwraps  the  base  of  the  stem, 
which  arises  from  a  solid  bulb.  5  to  6  inches  high.  Swamps 
or  wet  woods. 

Green   Adder's   Mouth 

M.  unifblia..  —  This  species  is  similar  to  the  last,  but  its  leaf 
occurs  about  the  middle  of  the  flower-stem,  oval  or  roundish, 
clasping.  Raceme  of  flowers  short,  blunt,  1  to  3  inches  long.  Lip, 
3-lobed  at  the  summit.      5  to  10  inches  high.     July  and  August. 

Rather  rare,  in  wet  woods. 

Twayblade 

Liparis  Loeselii.  —  Family,  Orchis.  Color,  yellowish  green. 
Flowers,  few  in  a  raceme,  the  petals  narrow,  long.  Lip,  entire, 
pointed  in  the  middle,  oblong.  Leaves,  lance-shaped,  2  in  num- 
ber, sheathing  the  flower-stem. 

Not  a  common  species,  found  in  wet  woods,  from  New 
England  to  Florida. 

Crane  Fly  Orchis 

Tipularia.  discolor,  —  Family,  Orchis.  Color,  greenish,  tinged 
or  spotted  with  purple.  Flowers  on  a  scape,  with  several  small 
scales  at  base,  nodding,  on  pedicels  without  bracts,  making  a 
terminal,  loose  raceme  5  to  10  inches  long.  Sepals  and  petals, 
long  and  narrow,  the  lip  3-lobed,  not  exceeding  the:  petals,  pro- 
longed backward  into  a  thread-like  spur  twice  as  jlong  as  the 
flower.  Leaf  appearing  in  autumn,  after  the  flower  has  perished, 
sj  >ringing   from   a   bulb,   often   living   through   the   winter,   long- 

24 

**0PERTVOF 

**M<  COLLEGE  UBRW> 


GREEN    GROUP 

petioled,  broad,  acute,  plaited,  tinged   with  purple  underni 
July  and  August. 

Bulbs  connected  by  horizontal  offsets.  This  singular 
orchid,  with  its  insect-like  form,  is  a  rare  and  pleasurable 
find  in  the  woods  from  Vermont  to  Michigan,  and  south- 
ward to  Florida  and  Louisiana. 

Stinging  Nettle 

Urtica  dioica. — Family,  Nettle.  Flowers,  in  spikes.  Stamens 
and  sepals  4,  in  pairs;  the  two  outer  sepals  smaller,  all  placed 
around  a  rudimentary  pistil.  Leaves,  opposite,  ovate,  heart- 
shaped,  downy  underneath.     Summer. 

The  whole  plant  is  furnished  with  stinging  hairs.  A  small 
gland,  secreting  a  poisonous  fluid,  is  at  the  base  of  each  hair. 
If  one  be  touched,  never  so  lightly,  I  can  testify  from  ex- 
perience that  the  hand  will  burn  and  sting  for  hours  after- 
ward. Height,  2  or  3  feet.  Common  around  old  outbuild- 
ings and  barns,  and.  in  waste  places  generally. 

Two  other  species  may  be  mentioned;  neither  of  them 
quite  so  vicious. 

Slender  Nettle 

.  V.  gracilis  is    sparingly  bristly,   quite    tall,    2   to   7   feet,   with 

leaves    lance-shaped,    possessing    heart-shaped    or    round    has*.-, 
*  deeply  serrate,  on  tall  petioles.     Flowers  in  axillary  compound 
panicles. 

Small  Nettle 

U.  urens  is  small  and  coarse,  provided  with  few  stings.    L> 
deeply  and  sharply  toothed,  ovate,  petioled,  3  to  5 -nerved. 

To  this  Family  belong  our  splendid  elm  trees;  also,  the  fig 
and  banyan,  as  well  as  the  hemp  plant.  These  species  of 
nettle  are  found  over  the  entire  Atlantic  coast. 

Wood  Nettle 

Laportea  canadensis,  —  Family,  Nettle.  Staminate  and  pistil- 
late flowers  separate.  No  corolla.  Calyx  of  4  sepals,  one  or  two  <  >f 
which  are  smaller  than  the  others.  One  side  of  the  stigma  hairy. 
Flowers  clustered  in  cymose  heads.  Leaves,  5  or  6  inches  long, 
ovate,  pointed,  long-petioled,  feather-veined,  with  one  2-clefl 
stipule  at  base.      July  to  September. 

A  plant  with  stinging  hairs,  2  or  3  feet  high.  Pound  in 
rich  woods,  northward  and  southward. 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Richweed.     Clearweed 

Pilea  pumila. — Family,  Nettle.  Flowers  of  two  kinds,  stami- 
nate  and  pistillate.  Corolla  wanting.  Sepals  3,  a  hooded  scale 
in  front  of  each.  In  the  pistillate  flowers,  one  large  sepal  incloses 
the  seed,  an  achene,  in  fruit.  From  the  resemblance  of  this  sepal 
to  a  cap,  the  name  is  derived  (pileus,  a  cap).  Leaves,  pointed, 
3 -ribbed,  coarsely  toothed.  Stem  smooth,  3  to  18  inches  high. 
July  to  September. 

Cool,  moist,  shady  places. 

Great  Water   Dock 

Rumex  Britannica. — Family,  Buckwheat.  Flowers,  lacking  corol- 
la, consist  of  6  sepals,  6  stamens,  and  3  styles.  The  3  inner  sepals, 
called  valves,  bear  each  a  grain-like  body  upon  the  back.  They 
are  larger  than  the  3  outer  ones,  and  are  often  colored,  petal-like. 
The  3  outer  are  leaf-like  and  green.  Flowers  borne  upon  slender 
pedicels,  forming  a  long,  green  panicle.  Leaves,  oblong,  or  lance- 
shaped,  very  large,  those  near  the  root  1  or  2  feet  long,  their 
petioles  sheathing  the  stem  at  the  base.  Stems  coarse,  tall,  5  to 
10  feet,  sometimes  measuring  10  inches  around  at  base.     Summer. 

Wet  places  everywhere,  especially  borders  of  streams. 

Pale  Dock 

R.  altissimus. — A  species  3  to  6  feet  tall,  with  long,  pale  green 
leaves,  flowers  on  short,  nodding  peduncles.  Common  in  alluvial 
soil. 

White  Dock 

R.  pallidas. — This  has  a  white  root,  whence  its  common  name. 
It  grows  1  to  3  feet  high,  with  narrow,  smooth  leaves,  the  stem 
thickly  branched,  coarse  in  its  growth,  like  most  of  this  genus. 

Yellow  Dock 

R.  crispus. — This  is  a  well  -  known  weed,  growing  with  per- 
tinacity in  cultivated  grounds,  with  a  strong  root.  The  farmers 
consider  the  dockweed  among  their  most  unwelcome  growths. 
Leaves,  narrow,  with  wavy  margins.  Flowers  crowded  in  whorls, 
in  long  panicles. 

Swamp  Dock 
R.  cverticillktus. — A  tall  species  found  in  swamps,  with  flowers 
whorlcd  about  the  stem  in  loose,  almost  leafless  racemes.     Often 
the  lower  leaves  of  many  of  these  species  turn  a  bright  red  early 
in  the  season. 

Bitter  Dock 
R.   obtusifblius    has    flowers    whorled    in    looser,   more    distant 
panicles.     Lower  leaves  ovate,   heart-shaped,   obtuse,   the  upper 

26 


GREEN    GROUP 

narrower,  acute.     Calyx  wings  spiny-toothed;    achenes  smooth, 
red. 

Smaller  Green  Dock 

R.  conglomerates  has  a  leafy  panicle  of  pedicelled,  small  flow- 
ers. Leaves  petioled,  oblong  to  lance-shaped,  acute,  i  to  5  inches 
long. 

Golden  Dock 

R.  persicarioides. —  The  flowers  of  this  species  are  densely 
whorled  in  a  long  panicle.  The  valves  have  2  or  3  pointed,  long 
bristles  on  each  side.  The  "grain"  becomes  golden  in  color. 
Stem  stout,  1  to  3  feet  high,  sometimes  creeping,  very  leafy.  A 
maritime  plant,  found  also  in  the  interior. 

Xnotweed.     Doorweed 

Polygonum  aviculkre. — -Family,  Buckwheat.  Leaves,  small, 
sessile,  blue-green,  less  than  1  inch  long,  narrow.  Sheaths  silvers-, 
membranous.  Corolla,  none.  Calyx,  green,  bordered  with  pink. 
Flowers,  very  small,  in  axillary  clusters.     Summer. 

There  is  a  puzzling  variety  among  the  species  of  this  genus, 
some  of  which  are  common  weeds;  others,  rarer,  aspire  to 
prettiness.  Many  of  them  frequent  wet  places  and  are  found 
along  roadsides.  This  one  is  smooth,  much  jointed,  pros- 
trate,  slender.     Very  common. 

Erect  Knotweed 

P.  erectum  is  stouter,  erect,  2  feet  or  less  tall,  with  broader 
leaves.  There  is  a  yellowish  tint  to  the  flowers  and  stem  by  which 
it  may  be  known.  Flowers,  1  or  2  in  the  leaf  axils.  Leaves  jointed 
to  the  sheaths,  which  are  the  distinguishing  mark  of  the  buck- 
wheat family. 

This  and  the  preceding  are  quite  common  weeds. 

Common  Smartweed.     Water   Pepper 
P.  hydropiper. — Of   rather    low   growth,   with   smooth,   dotted, 
narrow  leaves  very  peppery  to  the  taste.     Flowers,  in  dense,  nod- 
ding spikes,  with  numerous  small  bracts.     The  sheaths  are  fringed 
along  their  edges.     Stamens,  6.     Summer. 

8  inches  to  2  feet  high.     Wet  grounds. 

P.  <virginianum. — Corolla,  none.  Calyx,  4-parted,  the  divisions 
unequal.  Stamens  5,  styles  2.  Flowers,  in  long,  loose  spikes,  1  \o 
3  from  a  single  bract.     Stem,  smooth,  2  to  4  feet  high. 

Perennials.     Found  in  thickets  or  moist  woods. 

27 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Black  Bindweed 

P.  Convolvulus. — This  is  a  prostrate  or  twining  species,  with 
halberd  or  heart-shaped  leaves,  a  rough  stem,  and  greenish 
flowers  in  loose,  irregular  axillary  clusters.  A  common  weed  in 
cultivated  or  waste  grounds. 

Pigweed.     Lamb's  Quarters 

Chenopodium  album.  —  Family,  Goosefoot.  Every  one  knows 
the  pigweed,  and  wishes  it  were  not  so  common.  The  green  flowers 
grow  in  dense,  spiked  clusters,  the  calyx  covering  the  seed  in  fruit. 
No  corolla.  The  leaves  are  narrow  above,  broader  below,  angu- 
larly toothed. 

The  farmer's  wife  boils  the  tender  tops  of  this  weed,  not 
knowing  that  the  plant  is  nearly  related  to  her  garden 
spinach  and  beets.  As  the  plant  grows  older  it  becomes 
white  and  mealy. 

Orach 

Atrtplex  patula. —  Family,  Goosefoot.  Flowers,  of  two  sorts, 
the  staminate  with  a  3  to  5-parted  calyx;  the  pistillate  with  2 
large  bractlets  underneath,  united  at  their  bases.  Spikes,  slender, 
and  sometimes  the  two  kinds  of  flowers  may  be  found  together. 
Leaves,  alternate  or  opposite,  long  and  narrow,  especially  at  the 
top,  those  lower  down  3 -cut  or  lobed;  the  upper  sessile;  the  lower 
with  petioles.     Stem,  mealy.     Summer  and  autumn. 

Homely,  weed-like  annuals,  found  in  saline  soil  along 
our  coast.  Var.  hastata  has  broadly  arrow-shaped  leaves, 
irregularly  and  coarsely  toothed.  Found  also  along  the 
Great  Lakes. 

Sea  Beach  Atriplex 

A,  arenkria  is  6  to  18  inches  high,  slender-stemmed,  erect  or 
somewhat  prostrate;  with  short  petioles  or  sessile,  oblong  or 
linear  leaves,  rounded  or  pointed  at  apex,  the  flowers  in  clusters 
in  the  axils.     Whole  plant  pale  green,  silvery-scurfy. 

Glasswort.     Samphire 

Salicornia  mucronkta. — Family,  Goosefoot.  No  leaves,  but  stem 
fleshy,  jointed,  and  the  whole  plant  becomes  reddish  with  age. 

There  are  many  coarse,  uninteresting,  weed-like  plants 
along  the  seashore.  Those  which  belong  to  the  Goosefoot 
Family  have  little  beauty  of  form  or  color,  being  devoid  of  a 
corolla.  This  one  is  low,  fleshy,  with  a  thick  spike  of  flow- 
ers in  groups  of  threes,  the  middle  one  higher  than  the  side 
flowers,  all  sunk  in  hollows  in  the  axils  of  the  upper  scales, 

28 


GREEN    GROUP 

The  small  calyx  is  inflated  like  a  bladder,  irregularly  toothed 
along  the  margin.      In  salt  marshes. 

Marsh  Samphire 

S.  europaea. — This  species  branches  more  freely  than  the  last, 
and  turns  bright  red  in  fall.  Of  the  three  flowers  formed  at  the 
joints,  the  middle  one  is  much  higher  than  the  others.  Salt 
marshes  along  the  coast. 

S.  ambigua  bears  greenish  flowers  in  clusters  of  threes,  in  a  short 
spike,  springing  from  broadly  ovate  scales,  the  three  flowers  being 
nearly  equal  in  height.     This  is  a  perennial. 

Sea  Blite 

Suaeda  linearis. — Family,  Goosefoot.  No  corolla.  The  fleshy 
calyx  incloses  the  fruit.  Flowers  grow  in  the  axils  of  leafy  bracts. 
Leaves,  long,  narrow,  rush-like.     September  to  November. 

The  plant  lies  upon  the  ground,  or  it  may  be  erect.  The 
slender  branches  are  mostly  erect.     Seashore. 

Russian  Thistle 

Salsola  Kali,  var.  tenuifolia. — Family,  Goosefoot.  Color  of 
leaves  and  outer  branches,  red.  Leaves,  rigid,  needle-like,  tipped 
with  a  prickle,  clustered,  long,  somewhat  fleshy.  Calyx,  5-parted, 
each  division  with  a  broad,  strongly-veined  wing,  which  incloses 
the  fruit.     Stamens,  5,  styles,  2.     Flowers  in  axils  of  the  leaves. 

Plant  branched,  bushy,  an  importation  from  Europe  or 
Asia,  and  a  pernicious  weed  in  New  Jersey  and  northward. 

Green  Amaranth.     Pigweed 

Amaranthus  retroflexus.  —  Family,  Amaranth.  Corolla,  want- 
ing. Sepals,  5,  tipped  with  a  point.  Stamens,  5,  awl-shaped. 
Stigmas,  2  or  3.  Bracts,  3,  awl-pointed,  under  the  flowers,  which 
are  collected  in  dense  axillary  and  terminal  spikes.  Leaves,  ovate, 
or  the  upper  lance-shaped,  pointed,  long-petioled.  August  to 
September. 

Coarse,  ugly  annuals,  growing  as  weeds  in  cultivated 
grounds. 

Thorny  Amaranth 

A.  spindsas.  —  This  is  a  weed  more  troublesome  southward. 
Staminate  and  pistillate  flowers  on  the  same  plant.  A  pair  of 
rigid  spines  occurs  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  where  also  the  fertile 
flowers  may  be  found.  The  sterile  flowers  form  long,  slender  spike  1 
above  on  the  branches.     Stem,  reddish,  1  to  4  feet  high. 

Waste  grounds  near  the  coast. 

29 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Tumbleweed 

A.  graecizans. —  This  species  has  pale  green  to  whitish  erect 
stems,  with  slender  branches.  Flowers  in  small,  axillary  clusters. 
Stamens  and  sepals,   3. 

This  weed  is  often  uprooted  by  the  wind  and  blowrn  about, 
whence  the  common  name. 

Early  Meadow   Rue 

Thalictrum  dioicum.  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  greenish  or 
purplish.  Flowers,  dioecious  (on  different  plants),  no  corolla. 
Calyx  of  4  or  5  sepals,  falling  early.  The  stamens  have  linear, 
bright-yellow  anthers,  drooping  and  trembling  on  hair-like  fila- 
ments. Flowers,  small,  in  panicles,  not  conspicuous  among  the 
pale,  delicate  traceries  of  the  leaves.  Leaves,  compound,  the  leaf- 
lets stalked,  rounded,  drooping,  3   to  7-lobed. 

The  sepals  give  a  greenish  or  purplish  color  to  the  flowers. 
Height,  1  or  2  feet.  Earlier  than  the  tall  meadow  rue,  and 
growing  more  in  the  woods. 

Thimbleweed 

Anemone  <virginikna. — Family,  Crowfoot. — Petals,  none.  There 
are  5  greenish  sepals,  silky  and  downy  underneath.  Fruit,  an 
oblong  head  of  achenes,  thimble-shaped.  One  of  our  tall  anem- 
ones, 2  to  3  feet  high,  stiff  and  rather  ungraceful;  common  in 
many  of  our  woods.  Leaves,  radical  and  on  the  stem,  the  latter 
forming  an  involucre  of  3-stalked,  twice  -  divided  leaves,  their 
divisions  cleft.  From  this  whorl  of  leaves  the  earlier  blossoms 
arise  on  tall,  naked  stalks.  Later  ones  are  accompanied  by  a 
similar  smaller  pair  of  leaves.      Summer. 

Blue  Cohosh.     Pappoose   Root 

Caulophyllum  thalidroldes. — Family,  Barberry.  Color,  yellow- 
ish green.  Sepals,  petals,  and  stamens,  6.  Pistil,  1,  with  a  short 
style.  Petals,  small,  thickish,  with  short  claws,  opposite  the 
sepals.  Flowers,  in  a  small  panicle,  terminating  the  simple  stem. 
Fruit,  sl  pair  of  round  seeds  on  thick  stalks,  which  by  expansion 
burst  the  ovary  covering,  become  naked,  drupe-like,  blue  and 
somewhat  fleshy,  when  ripe.  Leaf  1,  large,  3 -divided,  the  divi- 
sions 3-lobed,  situated  just  below  the  flower,  sessile,  so  that  the 
flower-stem  seems  to  be  the  leaf-stalk.  A  second,  smaller  leaf 
sometimes  appears.     April  and  May. 

A  conspicuous  plant,  especially  when  in  fruit,  loving  the 
solitude  of  deep  woods,  growing  in  rich  soil. 

30 


GREEN    GROUP 

Dyer's  Weed  or  Weld.     Wild  Mignonette 

Reseda  Luteola  (from  resedo,  to  calm,  it  being  supposed  to 
possess  sedative  properties). — Family,  Mignonette.  Color,  dull, 
greenish  yellow.  Calyx,  4-parted.  Corolla  of  4  petals.  The 
upper  one  3  to  5  times  cut,  the  2  side-petals  3-divided,  the  lower 
one  entire.  Stamens  numerous  on  a  fleshy  disk  The  small  flo 
grow  in  long,  narrow,  stiff  spikes.  Leaves,  alternate,  lance-shaped, 
with  glands  in  place  of  stipules. 

A  roadside  plant,  but  not  very  common.      Height,  2  fi 
Used  for  dyeing  yellow.     The  fragrant  mignonette  of  our 
gardens  is  reseda  odorata. 

Ditch  Stonecrop 

Penthorum  sedo\des,  —  Family,  Orpine.  Color,  greenish  or 
greenish  yellow,  found  in  sepals.  No  petals.  Stamens,  10.  Pistils, 
5,  joined  below  in  a  queer  little  capsule  which  has  5  bonis.  The 
capsule  opens  by  the  falling-off  of  these  horns.  Flowers  grow  on 
the  upper  side  of  a  leafless  stem,  the  terminal  blossoming  first. 
Leaves,  scattered,  lance-shaped,  pointed,  not  fleshy  as  in  many 
members  of  this  family.      ',  to  2  feet  high.     July  to  October. 

Wet  grounds,  as  river-banks  or  borders  of  brooks.  (See 
illustration,  p.  32.) 

Pigmy  Weed 

Tittaea  aquatica. — Family,  Orpine.     A  symmetrical  flower,  with 

petals,  sepals,  stamens,  and  pistils,  3  or  4.  Color,  greenish  white. 
Leaves,  those  on  the  stem,  opposite;  those  at  the  root,  entire, 
clustered,   fleshy.     July  to  September. 

A  queer,  little,  mud-loving  plant.  The  tiny,  2-inch-high 
stem  bears  small,  single  flowers  in  the  leaf  axils.  Local, 
near  the  coast,  in  brackish  mud. 

Swamp  Saxifrage 

Saxifraga  pennsytbanica.  (Name  means  rock  -  breaker,  from 
many  species  growing  in  clefts  of  rocks.) — Family,  Saxifrage. 
Flowers,  perfect,  with  5  greenish  petals,  a  5 -parted  calyx  with 
lobes  recurved.  Stamens,  10.  Styles,  2.  Flowers  clustered  in 
cymes  or  panicles.  Leaves  clustered  at  the  root,  rather  large,  4 
to  8  inches  long,  obscurely  toothed,  upon  short,  broad  peti 
Those  on  stem  smaller,  alternate. 

For  this  genus  a  rather    large   growth,    1    to    2    feet    high. 
Common  and  not  pretty,  in  low,  wet  meadows  or  swamps. 
3  3i 


ditch  stonecrop  in  fruit  (PenthoTum  sedoides) 
(See  page  31) 


GREEN    GROUP 

Common  Alum  Root 

Heuchera  americana. — -Family,  Saxifrage.  Calyx,  tubular, 
5-cleft,  broad.  Petals,  5,  small,  equaling  the  calyx  divisions. 
Stamens,  5.  Styles,  2.  Flowers  in  small,  panicled  clusters,  insig- 
nificant. Leaves,  principally  from  a  rootstock,  roundish,  cre- 
nately  lobed  and  toothed,  narrowed  at  base  into  flattened  petioles. 
Stem,  hairy,  beset  with  small  glands,  2  or  3  feet  high. 

Hills  and  rocky  woods. 

Miterwort.     Bishop's  Cap 

Mitetta  nuda. — Family,  Saxifrage.  Calyx,  short,  5-cleft.  Corolla 
of  5  slender  petals.  Stamens,  10.  Styles,  short,  2.  Leaves,  gener- 
ally 2,  from  runners  or  a  rootstock,  roundish  or  kidney-shaped, 
with  crenate  outlines,  small.     May  to  July. 

A  few  small  flowers  are  borne  on  leafless,  slender  stems, 
low,  often  almost  hidden  in  moss  where  it  delights  to  grow. 
In  cool  woods. 

Golden  Saxifrage 

Chrysosplenium  americanum.  —  Family,  Saxifrage.  Greenish, 
often  tinged  with  yellow  or  purple.  Petals,  none.  Calyx,  with 
4  or  5  lobes,  green  outside,  yellowish  within.  Stamens,  8  or  10, 
on  a  large  disk.  Styles,  2.  Flowers;  small,  single  or  in  cymose, 
leafy  clusters,  on  slender,  reclining  stems.  Leaves  mostly  op- 
posite, small,  thickish,  round,  or  heart  -  shaped,  slightly  lobed. 
April  and  May. 

The  name  is  misleading,  for  the  predominant  color  of  the 
flower  is  not  yellow.     Cold  swamps  or  wet  places. 

Three-seeded  Mercury 

Acatypba  <virginica. — Family,  Spurge.  Flowers,  monoecious,  the 
staminate  and  pistillate  each  with  a  calyx  3  to  5-parted.  The 
staminate  are  small,  almost  minute,  clustered  in  front  of  a  small 
bract,  in  spikes.  The  pistillate,  either  singly  or  2  or  3  together, 
grow  in  the  axils  of  large,  palmately-cleft,  fruiting,  leaf-like  bracts. 
Stamens,  8  to  16,  the  anthers  often  being  curved.  Styles,  3,  and 
the  capsule  is  3-seeded.  Leaves,  alternate,  petioled,  ovate  or 
oblong,  with  stipules.     July  to  September. 

The  plant  is  somewhat  hairy,  18  to  20  inches  high,  turning 
reddish   or   purplish   late    in   the   season.     It    is   a   homely, 
nettle-like  weed.     In  dry  fields  and  open  places,  New  Eng- 
land to  Minnesota,  southward  to  Florida. 
Wild  Ipecac 

Euphorbia  Ipecacuanhae.  —  Family,  Spurge.  It  is  difficult  to 
enumerate  the  flowers  of  members  of  this  family  as  of  a  particular 

33 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

color,  for  the  distinctive  color  lies  in  large  glands.  (See  description 
of  flower  of  the  Spurge  Family,  p.  9.)  In  this  species  the  growth 
is  low  and  slender,  from  a  long,  straight  root.  The  numerous 
stems  fork  below  the  middle,  bearing  a  pair  of  small,  oblong,  or 
linear  nearly  sessile  leaves.      Peduncles  about  an  inch  long. 

Sometimes  the  whole  plant  lias  a  reddish  tinge.  It  may 
be  found  in  the  spring,  common,  in  sandy  soil  along  the 
coast  from  Connecticut  to  Florida. 

Seaside  Spurge 
E.  polygonifblia. — This  species  grows  in  pure  sand  on  the  shore, 
its  pinkish  stems,  with  small,  narrow,  opposite  leaves,  slightly 
heart-shaped  at  base,  acute  at  apex,  with  cut  or  fringed  stipules, 
spreading  carpet-like,  on  the  ground.  The  roots  pull  lightly  up. 
If  a  branch  or  single  leaf  is  broken  off,  a  thick,  milky  juice  exudes 
from  the  wound.  The  flowers  are  small,  greenish,  appearing  in 
July.     3  to  10  inches  long. 

The  euphorbias  are  all  poisonous.  Nuttall  says,  "  In  the 
deserts  of  Africa  they  only  tend,  as  it  were,  to  augment  the 
surrounding  scenes  of  desolation;  leafless,  bitter,  thorny, 
poisonous,  they  seem  to  deny  food  to  every  animated  being." 

Cypress  Spurge 
E.  Cyparissias. — This  and  the  following  species  are  often  cul- 
tivated, and  have  escaped  from  gardens.  The  cypress  spurge 
is  low,  8  to  10  inches  high,  with  flowers  in  spreading  umbels,  on 
closely  crowded  stems.  Leaves,  on  the  stem  long,  and  narrow, 
those  near  the  flowers  somewhat  heart-shaped. 

Perennial  plants  fr^m  rootstocks.      Rather  common. 
Caper  Spurge.     Mole  Plant 

E.  Lathyrus. — A  smooth  plant  with  stout  stem,  2  to  3  feet  high, 
with  flowers  in  4 -rayed  and  forking  umbels.  Leaves,  thick,  ob- 
long, those  under  the  flowers  often  heart-shaped. 

Water  Starwort 

Callitriche  deflexa. —  Family,  Water  Starwort.  (The  generic 
name  means  "beautiful  hair,"  from  the  numerous,  slender  stems). 
Leaves  very  small,  crowded,  in  tufts.  This  plant  is  one  of  our 
tiniest  growths.  Slender  stems  with  opposite  leaves  tufted  at  the 
root,  1  to  2  inches  high,  with  sterile  flowers  consisting  of  a  sin- 
gle stamen,  and  fertile  ones  consisting  of  a  4-celled  ovary  and  2 
stigmas,  tell  the  whole  story. 

Annuals,  found  in  wet  soil,  from  Connecticut  to  Delaware 
and  westward. 

34 


GREEN    GROUP 

False  Loosestrife 

Ludvigia  sphaerocarpa.  (Specific  name  from  the  round  cap- 
sule.)—  Flowers,  wanting  corolla.  Sepals,  green.  Stamens,  4. 
Small,  sessile,  single  flowers  occur  in  the  leaf  axils.  Leaves,  nar- 
row, long,  acute  at  both  ends,  alternate,  slightly  rough.  Runners 
or  shoots  spring  from  the  roots,  covered  thickly  with  small,  broad 
leaves.  Stem,  erect,  2  to  3  feet  high,  its  bark  below  often  becom- 
ing thick  and  corky. 

Aquatic,  or  in  wet  swamps.     Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

L.  polycarpa. —  This  species  differs  from  the  last  in  having 
minute  petals  and  conspicuous  bractlets  underneath  the  flower. 
The  plant  is  from  1  to  3  feet  high,  with  stout  stem,  and  numerous 
stolons.  The  alternate  leaves  are  rough  along  the  margins,  2  to 
4  inches  long. 

Swamps  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  south  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  in  Kansas. 

Water  Milfoil 

Myriophyllum  <verticillatum. —  Family,  Water  Milfoil.  Floral 
leaves  and  flowers  in  whorls,  the  upper  flowers  staminate,  the 
lower  pistillate.  Petals,  generally  none.  Sepals,  green,  or  with 
a  purplish  tinge.  Stamens,  8.  Leaves,  cut  and  fine,  like  the  teeth 
of  a  comb. 

The  plant  is  aquatic,  and  when  the  leaves  arc  taken  from 
the  water  they  collapse.  Such  leaves  are  spoken  of  as 
-flaccid. 

The  flowers  are  inconspicuous,  sessile,  in  the  axils  of  the 
leaves.  The  only  acquaintance  I  have  with  this  plant  is 
through  a  specimen  sent  me  from  a  friend  in  southern  New 
Jersey.  I  placed  my  plant  in  a  dish  of  water  and  kept  it  for 
weeks.  Its  finely  dissected  leaves  grew  very  fast  and  over- 
lapped the  edges  of  the  dish.  Greenish  white  blossoms  ap- 
peared in  March. 

There  are  several  members  of  this  Family  which  grow  in 
ponds  and  shallow  streams.  They  all  have  capillary  leaves, 
usually  whorled  on  the  stem. 

Mermaid  Weed 
Proserpinkca   palustris. —  Family,  Water  Milfoil.      Calyx,    tubu- 
lar,   3-sided,    its   border   3-divided.      Petals,    none.      Stamens   and 
stigmas,  3.     A  nut-like  fruit  with  3  seeds  in  as  many  cells,  is  !  • 
Flowers,  small,  inconspicuous,  1  to  4,  sessile,  in  the  axils.      / 

35 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

lance-shaped,  alternate,  sharply  toothed;  the  lower,  often  under 
water,  cut  into  comb-like  divisions.  Stems,  low  and  creeping,  8 
to  20  inches  high. 

Growing  in  shallow  water  or  in  the  mud  along  its  banks 
throughout  the  Atlantic  coast  and  westward. 

Poke  Milkweed 

Asclepias  phytolaccoides.  —  Family,  Milkweed.  Color,  green- 
ish; hoods  white.  (See  description  of  this  Family,  p.  10.)  Leaves, 
with  short  petioles,  large,  broad,  ovate  to  roundish. 

A  tall,  rank-growing  species  of  milkweed,  3  to  5  feet  high, 
with  pedicelled  flowers  in  terminal  and  lateral  umbels.  The 
horn  projecting  from  the  white  hood  has  a  long,  somewhat 
curved  point.  Stem,  3  to  5  feet  high.  The  flowers  are 
loosely  clustered,  each  on  a  limp,  drooping  pedicel,  as  long 
as  the  common  peduncle.  Deep,  cool,  moist  woods.  New 
England,  south  to  Georgia  and  Alabama. 

Sweet-scented  Bedstraw 

Galium  triflbrum. — Family,  Madder.  The  galiums  all  have  rather 
slender,  square  stems,  often  roughened  along  the  angles,  so  that 
they  cling  to  other  plants,  and  sprawl  rather  than  climb.  Their 
flowers  and  leaves  are  in  whorls  or  clusters.  In  this  species  the 
calyx  is  tubular;  corolla,  4-parted;  stamens,  4;  styles,  2;  fruit, 
double,  beset  with  hooked  hairs  for  its  dissemination.  Leaves, 
1  to  2  inches  long,  roughened  along  the  edges,  4,  5,  or  6  in  a 
whorl.     June  and  July. 

This  plant  has  a  pleasant  fragrance  when  dried.  Com- 
mon in  rich  woods  along  the  coast  and  in  the  interior. 

Ragweed.    Hogweed.   Bitter-weed.   Roman  Wormwood 

Ambrosia,  artemisiifblia. — Family,  Composite.  Leaves,  much  cut 
and  thin,  opposite  and  alternate. 

This  unwelcome  weed,  when  examined  under  the  microscope, 
shows  the  fertile  and  sterile  flowers  in  different  heads  on  the  same 
plant.  The  spikes  of  flowers  above  are  staminate.  Below,  in  the 
leaf-axils,  are  3  pistillate  flowers.  Often  the  plant  exhales  rather 
a  disagreeable  odor.  Its  pollen  is  said  to  produce  hay-fever.  It 
has  a  strong,  spreading  root. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Gibson  has  found  something  curious  and  likable 
in  this  ugly  weed.  He  says:  "The  pith  obtained  from  the 
stem  is  lighter  and  more  buoyant  than  any  vegetable  tissue 
of  like  bulk.  It  seems  almost  to  float  as  it  falls  from  your 
hand,  while  its  cross-fracture,  wTith  its  iridescent  sheen,  cer- 

36 


. GREEN    GROUP 

tainly  brings  reminders  of  the  rainbow  in  the  realms  of  tin- 
gods."  Dr.  Gray  says  the  generic  name  Ambrosia  "is  ill- 
chosen  for  these  worthless  and  coarse  weeds." 

Mr.  Burroughs  says:  "Ambrosia,  'food  for  the  gods'!  It 
must  be  food  for  the  gods,  if  anything,  for,  as  far  as  I  have 
observed,  nothing  terrestrial  eats  it,  not  even  a  billy-goat." 

Great  Ragweed 

A.  trifida.. — A  very  tall,  coarse,  and  rough  species,  with  3-lobed, 
large  leaves  whose  petioles  are  margined.  A  common  and  trouble- 
some weed,  especially  westward. 


CHAPTER    IV 

WHITE,    CREAM,  GREENISH   WHITE 

Cotton  Grass 

Eriophorum  angustifblium. — Family,  Sedge.  Although  possess- 
ing no  ordinary  flowers,  the  cotton  grass  is  so  striking  in  mid- 
summer, as  it  dots  the  swamps  and  cranberry  marshes  of  Long 
Island  and  northward  with  pure  white,  cottony-looking  balls,  it 
seems  worthy  to  lead  the  procession  of  white  flowers. 

Grasses,  sedges,  and  rushes  have  blossoms  which,  taken  to- 
gether, from  their  arrangement  in  little  spikes,  may  be  called 
s pikelets.  In  this  genus,  2  or  3  flowers  spring  from  the  axil  of  a 
scaly  bract.  The  s pikelets  are  grouped  in  terminal,  drooping 
umbels.  The  underlying  scales,  at  first  gray,  become  brownish. 
The  lower  leaves  are  long,  stiff,  grass-like,  clasping  the  stem.  The 
upper  are  just  sheaths,  without  blades.  1  to  3  stamens,  and  a 
1 -celled  ovary  compose  the  blossom,  which,  instead  of  calyx,  pro- 
duces many  long  slender,  soft  bristles,  giving  the  cottony  look 
to  this  sedge.  There  are  several  species,  mostly  from  England, 
which  brighten  the  moors  of  the  mother-country. 

Stems  of  the  Sedge  Family  are  solid  (rushes  and  grasses 
are  hollow  or  filled  with  pith),  square,  triangular,  or  flat. 

Bur-reed 

Spa.rga.nium  simplex. — Family,  Bur-reed.  Flowers,  without  peri- 
anth. Stamens  and  pistils  separate,  with  bracts,  collected  in 
heads  along  the  upper  part  of  the  stem.  Staminate  flowers  above; 
pistillate  ones  below,  from  1  to  4  in  a  head,  consisting  of  sev- 
eral pistils  with  a  calyx-like  set  of  scales  underneath.  Leaves, 
long,  narrow,  flat,  ribbon-like,  sheathing  at  base,  floating.  July 
and  August. 

A  rather  strikingly  pretty  water  plant,  sometimes  ter- 
restrial, growing  on  the  banks  of  streams.  The  fertile  heads 
become  bur-like  in  fruit.  The  heads  are  separated  by  a 
space  on  the  stem.  Perennials,  springing  from  creeping, 
horizontal  rootstocks.     Aquatics.      (See  illustration,  p.  39.) 

38 


bur-reed  (Sparganiutn  simplex) 

(See  pape    ;S) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

S.  eurycarpum  is  a  stout  and  tall  species,  with  characteristics 
similar  to  the  last,  growing  along  the  shores  of  rivers  and  streams 
near  the  sea-level. 

S.  minimum  is  slender  and  low,  with  grass-like  leaves  floating 
on  the  water  near  the  bank,  where  it  is  shallow.  As  far  south 
as  Pennsylvania. 

Arrow-head 

Sagittaria  latifolia.  (Sagitta,  an  arrow,  from  the  shape  of  the 
leaves.) — Family,  Water  Plantain.  Flowers  in  whorls  of  2  or  3 
about  the  leafless  scape.  The  upper  whorls  are  staminate,  with  3 
large,  rounded  white  petals  and  numerous  stamens.  The  lower 
one  or  two  whorls  are  of  smaller,  inconspicuous,  and  fertile  flowers, 
with  3  sepals.  Leaves,  on  long  petioles,  strongly  arrow-shaped^ 
with  deep,  pointed  lobes.     Stems,  smooth,  with  milky  juice. 

A  familiar  plant,  noticeable  quite  as  much  for  its  hand- 
some, dark-green,  arrow-shaped  leaves  as  for  its  pretty  spike 
of  broad,  white  blossoms.  Sometimes  it  grows  entirely  in 
water.  More  often  it  stands  upon  the  wet  banks  of  slowly 
moving  streams.  There  are  many  species  and  varieties  of 
Sagittaria,  marked  by  variability  of  leaves,  some  of  which 
lose  the  arrow-shape  and  become  long  and  narrow.  (See 
illustration,  p.  41.) 

Water  Plantain 

Alisma  Plantago-aquatica. — Family,  Water  Plantain.  Flowers, 
small,  in  a  compound,  spreading  panicle  much  higher  than  the 
leaves.  Color,  white,  sometimes  light  pink.  Stamens  and  pistils 
in  different  flowers.  Petals,  3,  white.  Sepals,  3,  with  white 
margins.  Stamens,  6.  Pistils,  several,  in  fruit  forming  a  ring. 
Leaves,  all  from  the  root,  resembling  common  plantain  leaves, 
broad,  with  long  petioles,  smooth,  many-veined,  often  heart- 
shaped  at  base,  sheathing.  Roots,  fibrous,  6  inches  to  2  feet  high. 
July  to  September.     Common  in  shallow  water. 

A  plant  growing  sometimes  in  water,  more  often  in  mud 
on  banks,  and  especially  in  the  soft,  boggy  ground  made  by 
cows  in  their  passing  to  and  from  water.  (See  illustration, 
P-  43-) 

Water-weed.     Dutch  Moss 

Elodea  canadensis, — Family,  Frog's  Bit.  Flowers,  of  two  kinds. 
Staminate  very  small,  with  3  sepals,  with  or  without  3  inner  petal- 
like divisions  of  the  perianth.  Stamens,  3  to  9.  Stigmas,  3.  Pis- 
tillate flowers  seldom  seen.     Leaves,  opposite,  whorled,   or  clus- 

40 


arrow-head   (Sagittaria  latifolia) 
(See  page  40) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

tered  along  the  stem,  sessile,  transparent,  long,  narrow,  small. 
Stem,  4  inches  to  3  feet  long,  according  to  the  depth  of  the  water. 
May  to  August.     Aquatic. 

A  small,  slender  herb,  growing  its  stems  and  leaves  under 
water,  but  bringing  its  pistillate  flowers  to  the  surface  by 
stretching  the  tube  of  the  perianth  till  it  reaches  the  top  of 
the  water.  This  tube  is  thin  and  thread-like.  The  staminate 
flowers  break  off  early,  scattering  their  pollen  on  the  water 
around  the  stigmas  of  the  pistillate  flowers. 

Tape,  or  eel-grass  (Valisneria  spiralis),  belongs  to  this 
Family.  Its  ribbon-like  leaves  grow  6  feet  long.  It  is  com- 
mon and  well  known. 

Wild  Calla.      Water  Arum 

Calla.  palustris. — Family,  Arum.  Color  of  the  spathe,  white; 
berries,  red.  Leaves,  broad,  somewhat  heart-shaped,  on  long,' 
thick  petioles.     May  and  June. 

The  flower  of  this  pretty  aquatic  is  a  close  copy  of  the 
stately  potted  plant  the  calla  lily.  The  true  flowers  appear 
— staminate  above,  pistillate  below — on  a  fleshy  receptacle, 
the  spadix,  which  is  short  and  thick.  This  lies  against  a 
broad,  flattish,  much  pointed,  pure  white  open  leaf,  the 
spathe. 

No  other  leaf  grows  upon  the  flower-stem.  Others,  green, 
on  long  stalks,  come  up  from  the  creeping  rootstock. 

These  are  common  flowers  in  Lapland  and  other  Northern 
countries,  where  they  grow  so  numerously  as  to  cover  whole 
marshes  and  exclude  other  plants.  The  roots  arc  caustic 
and  acrid. 

They  are  found  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Virginia  and  west- 
ward. 

Pipewort 
Eriocaulon  articulktum.  —  Family,  Pipewort.  Color,  a  leaden 
white.  Stamens  and  pistils  in  different  flowers,  in  the  same  head. 
Divisions  of  perianth,  in  staminate  flowers,  2  or  3 ,  narrow,  bearded 
with  fine,  white  hairs ;  in  pistillate  flowers,  similar,  with  an  inner 
set  of  smaller  segments.  Stamens,  4  to  6.  The  flowers  are  so 
small  that  their  parts  can  only  be  made  out  with  a  magnifying- 
glass.  A  white,  woolly  beard  abounds  among  them,  and  covers 
the  base  of  the  scape,  which  is  long  enough  to  bring  the  flower- 
heads  to  the  water's  surface,  and  so  may  be  a  few  inches  or 
several  feet  in  length.     The  scape  is  angled  with  4  to  7  lines, 

42 


watfr  plantain  (Alisma  Plantago-aqmitica) 
(See  page  40) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

often  twisted.     Leans,  short,  i  to  3  inches  long,  smooth,  loosely 
cellular,  transparent,  grass-like;  none  on  the  flower-stems. 

This  singular  aquatic  is  not  very  common.  In  the  ponds 
where  it  grows  from  August  to  October,  under  overhanging 
trees,  the  surface  of  the  water  will  be  dotted  with  the  white 
flowers,  and  where  the  water  is  shallow  the  tips  of  the  leaves 
can  be  seen.  Its  range  is  from  Newfoundland  to  Texas.  (See 
illustration,  p.  45.) 

Mud  Plantain 

Heter •anther a  reniformis. — Family,  Pickerel-weed.  Color,  white 
or  pale  blue.  Leaves,  kidney-shaped  or  heart-shaped,  with  long, 
sheathing  petioles.  A  low,  creeping-stemmed  herb,  with  a  spathe 
of  few  flowers,  which  perish  in  a  day.  The  flower-tube  is  6- 
divided.  There  are  3  stamens,  2  with  yellow  anthers,  1  with  a 
greenish  anther.  A  leaf  at  first  covers  the  flowers,  from  the 
base  of  which,  when  ready  to  bloom,  they  emerge.     Summer. 

Connecticut  to  New  Jersey  and  southward. 
Devil's  Bit.     Blazing  Star 

Chamaelirium  lixteum. — Family,  Lily.  Stamens  and  pistils  on 
different  plants.  Sepals,  6,  persistent  after  withering.  Six  sta- 
mens with  white  anthers.  The  fertile  flowers  contain  only  the 
rudiments  of  stamens.  Styles,  3,  long,  club-shaped,  stigmatic 
along  one  side.  Capsule  oblong,  about  \  inch  long,  3-lobed  and 
3-valved.  Leaves,  upper  ones  lance-shaped  or  linear,  flat,  sessile, 
or  short-petioled;  the  lower  broad  at  apex,  obtuse,  tapering  into 
narrow  petioles.     May  to  July. 

A  long  stem,  4  feet  high  or  less,  rises  from  a  tuberous  root- 
stock,  bearing  a  bractless  raceme  several  inches  long,  of 
small,  feathery,  white,  staminate  flowers.  The  raceme  of 
pistillate  flowers  on  a  shorter  stem  is  stiff  and  erect. 

Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Fly  Poison 

Amtanthium  muscaetoxicum.  —  Family,  Lily.  Perianth  of  6 
white  divisions  which  become  greenish  with  age.  They  are 
spreading,  conspicuous,  making  a  simple,  dense  raceme.  Stamens, 
with  thread-like  filaments  as  long  as  the  sepals.  Fruit,  a  3 -horned 
capsule.  Leaves,  from  base  of  flower  -  stem,  linear,  grass  -  like, 
rather  long,  a  few  on  the  stem  reduced  to  mere  bracts.  Stem, 
18  inches  to  4  feet  high,  from  a  coated  bulb.     June  and  July. 

Open  woods,  with  a  wide  range  from  Long  Island  west- 
ward to  Pennsylvania,  to  Kentucky  and  Arkansas.  Found 
among  the  mountains  of  Virginia. 

44 


PIPEWORT   (Eriocaulon    articidatum) 
(See  pages  42,  44) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

Crisped  Bunch-flower 

Melanthium  latifblium. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  greenish  white. 
vSix  spreading,  clawed  sepals  and  petals  compose  the  perianth. 
Stamens,  6.  Styles,  3.  A  tall  and  slender  plant,  2  to  4  feet  in 
height.  Flowers,  on  pedicels  in  large  terminal  panicles.  Leaves, 
long,  narrow,  acute  at  apex,  narrowing  to  the  base,  the  lower 
clasping,  numerous  on  the  tall  stem.     July  and  August. 

In  dry  woods  and  among  hills,  ascending  in  the  south  to 
a  height  of  2.000  feet. 

Wild  Leek 

Allium  tricoccum.  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  white  or  greenish. 
Leaves,  long  and  narrow,  disappearing  before  the  flowers  come. 

From  a  coated  bulb,  the  leaves  appear  early  in  spring,  growing 
less  than  a  foot  high.  Later,  the  flowers  come  in  umbels,  like  those 
of  the  cultivated  onion.      July. 

Wet  woods  and  meadows.  Unfortunately  the  familiar, 
onion-like  smell  belongs  to  the  wild  leek,  which  otherwise 
is  not  lacking  in  pretensions  to  beauty.  New  Brunswick 
to  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee. 

Wild  Garlic 
A.  canadense  grows  from  a  single  bull)  to  the  height  of  a  foot 
or  more.      Small  bulbs  often  replace  the  pink  or  white  flowers. 
We1   meadows.      May  and  June. 

White  Dog's-tooth  Violet 

Erythrbnium  albidum. — Family,  Lily.  Perianth  of  6  lily-like  divi- 
sions, white  with  a  tinge  of  pink,  the  sepals  curled  backward. 
Stamens,  6.  Style,  long  and  projecting,  bearing  3  stigmas. 
Flowers,  single,  showy,  nodding.  A  pair  of  opposite  leaves, 
spotted  or  entirely  green,  springs  from  the  flower-stem.     April. 

Deep,  cool,  moist  woods.  New  Jersey  westward  and 
southward  as  far  as  Texas.     Rare  in  the  Eastern  States. 

Star  of  Bethlehem 

Ornithogalum  umbellktum  ("bird's  milk,"  from  color  of  flowers). 
— Family,  Lily.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  1 -ribbed,  grass-like,  fleshy, 
equal  to  or  longer  than  the  flower-stems.  A  pretty  pure  white 
flower,  with  6  spreading  sepals,  opening  in  sunshine,  green  in 
the  middle  on  the  under  side.  Flowers  pedicelled,  each  with  a 
bract,  clustered  on  the  summit  of  the  scape,  5  to  12  inches  high. 
The  root  is  a  coated  bulb.     May  and  June. 

Escaped  from  gardens,   and  found  wild;    quite  common 

46 


WHITE    GROUP 

from  Massachusetts  to  Virginia,  in  grassy  lawns,  side  by  side 
with  the  grape  hyacinth. 

0.  nutans  has  flowers  in  nodding  racemes,  with  stout   pedi 
and   narrow,    pointed   bracts.     A   garden   species   found   wild    in 
eastern    Pennsylvania. 

White  Clintonia 

Clintbnia  umbellulata. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  white,  with  pur- 
ple or  greenish  dots.  Flowers,  fragrant,  in  a  many-flowered  umbel 
at  the  end  of  a  scape  8  to  18  inches  high.  Fruit,  a  roundish,  black 
berry.  Leaves,  2  to  5,  from  the  root,  broad,  pointed,  parallel- 
veined,  hairy  around  the  margins  and  sometimes  along  the  mid- 
rib underneath,  their  petioles  sheathing  the  base  of  the  scape; 
sometimes  a  small  leaf  on  the  scape.     May  and  June. 

Deep,  cool,  moist  woods.  New  York  to  Georgia  and 
Tennessee.     On  the  mountains  in  Virginia. 

False  Spikenard 

Smilacina  racemosa. — Family,  Lily.     The   small  flowers  clu 
in  terminal  panicles.      Perianth,  6-divided.     Stamens,  (>.      /.■ 
3  to  6  inches  long,  alternate,  clasping,  or  the  lower  with  peti 
broad,  acute  at  apex,  parallel- veined,  with  minutely  hairy  mar- 
gins.    May  to  July. 

In  moist  woods  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Georgia  and  west- 
ward. 

A  familiar  plant,  blossoming  about  the  last  of  May.  in 
cool  woods  and  on  hillsides,  often  in  moist  ground.  The 
single  ascending  stem,  producing  rather  large  leaves,  rises 
straight  or  zigzag  to  a  height  of  2  to  3  feet,  and  bears  on  its 
tip  a  compound  panicle  of  fine,  white,  pedicelled  blossoms, 
slightly  fragrant.  In  fall  these  flowers  give  rise  to  a  lovely 
bunch  of  pale-crimson,  purple-dotted  berries. 

Many  call  this,  wrongly,  Solomon's  Seal. 

False  Solomon's  Seal 

5.  stellkta. — This  is  a  smaller  species  than  the  last,  1  font  high, 
growing  under  similar  conditions.  The  flowers,  in  a  terminal, 
simple  raceme,  are  larger  than  the  last,  and  fewer,  each  with  a 
distinct  pedicel.  Most  of  the  leaves  clasp  the  stem,  without  pet- 
ioles. Flowers  appear  about  the  middle  of  May,  and  the  berries 
in  September  are  a  purplish  black  or  green  with  black  stri 

Both  of  these  plants  grow  from  a  creeping  rootstock,  like 
the  true  Solomon's  Seal,  and  they  are  among  our  interesting 
4  V 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

friends  of  the  woods.     New  England  to  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky.    Often  found  growing  with  the  preceding. 

Three-leaved  Solomon's  Seal 
S.  trifblia  rises  from  a  slender  rootstock,  a  stem  6  to  18  inches 
high,  bearing,  generally,  3  oblong  leaves,  sessile,  and  sheathing  at 
base.  Flower  rather  large,  with  an  open,  at  length  reflexed,  6- 
divided  perianth,  6  stamens,  1  ovary,  and  style.  Berries,  dark  red. 
In  wet,  boggy  woods  from  Maine  to  Pennsylvania,  west- 
ward to  Michigan. 

False  Lily  of  the  Valley 

Maianthemum  canadense.— Family,  Lily.  Color,  white.  Perianth 
of  4  sepals.  Stamens,  4.  Leaves,  1  to  3,  one  above  the  other, 
on  flowering  stems,  ovate  to  oblong,  pointed  at  apex,  heart-shaped 
at  base,  with  short,  thick  petioles,  or  sessile.  Some  solitary  on 
longer  petioles  from  the  rootstocks.  Parallel-veined.  Flowers, 
small,  delicate,  with  a'4-divided  perianth,  4  stamens,  1  style,  in 
a  terminal  spike  or  cluster,  followed  in  the  fall  by  a  bunch  of 
bright-red  berries.     May  and  June. 

This  small  lily  of  the  valley  is  one  of  the  flowers  dear  to 
children,  who  love  to  press  their  little  fingers  into  a  bed  of 
the  shining  leaves,  mixed  with  mosses,  looking  for  the  downy, 
fine  blossoms.  Height,  4  to  7  inches.  Stem  often  bent.  In 
moist  woods  from  New  England  to  North  Carolina  and 
westward.      (See  illustration,  p.  49.) 

Twisted-stalk 

Streptopus  amplexifblius. — Family,  Lily.  (Name  means  "twist- 
ed foot  or  stalk.")  Perianth  of  6  divisions,  bell-shaped,  curved 
backward,  all  narrow,  pointed,  greenish  white.  Stamens,  6,  with 
arrow-shaped  anthers  on  short,  flattened  filaments.  Fruit,  a  red, 
many-seeded  berry.  The  flowers,  h  inch  long,  grow  from  the  leaf- 
axils  on  slender  peduncles  1  to  2  inches  long,  which  are  abruptly 
bent  or  twisted  in  the  middle;  hence  the  name.  Stem,  a  creeping 
rootstock,  from  which  the  branches  arise,  2  to  3  feet  in  height, 
forking,  bearing  the  nodding  flowers  near  the  ends.  Leaves,  thin, 
pointed,  rounded  at  base,  clasping  the  stem.     May  to  July. 

Cool,  wet  woods,  northward,  and  south  in  the  mountains 
of  North  Carolina. 

Large-flowered  Wake  Robin 
Trillium  grandiflbrum. — Family,  Lily.     Perianth  of  3  long  and 
narrow,   green   sepals   and  3   large   colored   petals,  with   marked 

48 


WHITE   GROUP 


false  lily  of  the  valley   {Maianthcmum  canadense) 
(See  page  48) 

veins,  obtuse  and  broad,  or  heart-shaped  at  the  top.  Petals, 
waxy,  white,  later  turning  pink.  Stamens,  6,  with  long  anthers  on 
stout  filaments.  Flowers,  single,  on  long  peduncles,  at  the  base 
of  which  there  is  a  whorl  of  3  broad,  net-veined,  strongly-ribbed 
leaves.     Fruit,  a  black,  roundish  berry. 

The  trilliums  are  smooth,  unbranched  herbs,  among  our 
earliest  spring  finds,  coming  but  little  later  than  the  robin 
from  which  this  one  takes  its  name.  The  name  trillium 
means  three,  all  of  the  parts  of  this  plant  being  in  throes. 

49 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Painted  Trillium 
T.  undulhtam. — This  is  the  most  striking  of  the  genus.  Flower, 
peduncled,  with  3  narrow  sepals.  Its  long,  white,  wavy  petals 
are  colored  a  deep,  rich  crimson  in  the  middle,  or  lined  with  pur- 
ple, and  the  upper  part  of  the  stem  is  brown.  Fruit,  a  3 -angled 
red  berry,  3-celled,  with  several  seeds  in  a  cell.  Leaves,  tapering 
to  a  thick,  broad  petiole,  with  3  prominent  ribs  running  from 
base  to  the  sharp-pointed  apex.     May  and  June. 

Cold,  moist  woods,  often  found  in  bogs  in  the  Northern 
States,  and  in  the  mountains  southward.  Found  over  5,000 
feet  high  in  Virginia. 

It  is  difficult  to  classify  the  trilliums  by  their  color.  They 
partake  of  bright  hues  in  their  petals,  seeming  to  delight  in 
strong,  rich  markings,  often  different  colors  being  found 
together.      (See  under  Variegated  Flowers,  p.  374.) 

Nodding  Wake  Robin 

T.  cernuum  is  white  or  pink,  the  petals,  with  wavy  margins  rolled 
back,  as  long  as  the  sepals.  Anthers,  long,  on  stout  filaments. 
Fruit,  a  crimson  berry.  Flower  -  stalk  nods  away  from  the  in- 
volucre of  three  broad,  acutely  pointed  leaves.     April  to  June. 

Moist  woods,  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  where  it  may  be 
found  in  the  mountains. 

Colic-root.  Star  Grass 
Aletris  farinbsa..  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  white  or  yellowish. 
A  plant  with  many  small,  bell-shaped  flowers  terminating  a  tall, 
leafless  scape,  2  or  3  feet  high,  in  a  narrow  raceme  often  nearly 
a  foot  long.  One  or  2  bracts,  longer  than  the  pedicels,  lie  under 
each  flower.  Stamens,  6,  on  short  filaments.  Style,  1,  3-divided 
at  the  top.  Leaves,  thin,  pale  greenish  yellow,  lance-shaped, 
clustered  at  the  root.     July  and  August. 

A  special  mealy  look  about  the  flowers  has  given  this  plant 
its  name,  aldtris,  meaning  a  slave  grinding  corn.  Along  road- 
sides, on  the  edges  of  dry  woods,  in  sandy  soil,  this  plant 
grows  from  New  England  to  Florida  and  in  the  mountains 
of  Virginia. 

Showy  Lady's  Slipper 

Cypripedium  hirsutum.  —  Family,  Orchis.  Color  of  lip  white, 
varied  with  deep-pink  stripes.  Sepals,  white,  broad,  roundish, 
long.  Leaves,  large,  dotted,  numerous,  pointed,  ovate,  with 
strongly  defined  veins.     June  to  September. 

5° 


^y\ 


white  fringed  orchis  (Habenaria  blephariglottis) 

(See  page  52) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Swamps  and  wet  woods,  west  to  Minnesota  and  south  to 
Georgia. 

"The  most  beautiful  of  the  genus."  All  the  sepals  and 
petals  are  white,  except  for  the  blush  on  the  front  of  the 
broad,  inflated,  not  twisted  lip.  Stem,  downy,  2  feet  high, 
from  fibrous  roots.  It  is  not  easy  to  find,  being  a  shy  thing, 
and  hiding  its  beauty  in  peat-swamps,  where,  however,  if 
once  discovered,  it  may  be  seen  to  grow  in  numbers. 

White  Fringed  Orchis 

Habenaria  blephariglottis. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
the  lower  ones  lance-shaped,  quite  long ;  the  upper,  bract-like.  July. 

A  beautiful  milk-white  orchid.  The  lip  is  variously  cut 
and  fringed,  giving  the  whole  spike  of  flowers  a  soft,  lace- 
like appearance.  The  stem,  smooth,  with  bracts  rather 
than  leaves  above  the  middle,  grows  from  12  to  15  inches 
tall.  The  pure  color  of  the  heads  of  flowers  makes  them  at 
once  conspicuous  in  the  swamps,  cranberry  marshes,  etc., 
where  they  grow,  often  in  great  profusion.  (See  illustration, 
P-  5*0 

H.  dila.ta.ta.  —  This  species  has  white,  delicate  flowers  in  a 
raceme.  Lip,  narrow  and  pointed,  not  fringed,  hanging  over  a 
spur  nearly  as  long.  Leaves,  on  the  stem,  long,  narrow.  Stem, 
1  to  2  feet  high.     May  to  August. 

Wet  woods  and  swamps,  northward,  as  far  south  as  New 
Jersey. 

Ladies'  Tresses 

Spiranthes  gracilis.  —  Family,  Orchis.  Color,  mainly  white, 
but  the  lip  is  green,  margined  with  white.  Sepals,  rather  longer 
than  the  spreading,  wavy,  and  crisp-margined  lip.  Flowers, 
small,  in  slender,  twisted  spikes,  fragrant.  Stem,  simple,  from 
8  to  20  inches  tall,  smooth,  with  bracts  below  and  among  the 
flowers,  from  a  cluster  of  long,  tuberous  roots.  Leaves  near  the 
base  of  the  simple  stem,  short-petioled,  ovate  to  lance-shaped, 
generally  perishing  before  the  flowers  appear.     July  to  September. 

Dry  ground  or  on  hillsides.  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

S.  Beckii. — This  species,  smaller  than  the  last,  has  a  smooth 
and  very  slender  low  stem,  from  5  to  9  inches  tall,  and  a  few 
small  flowers  in  a  terminal  short  spike.  Leaves,  from  the  base  of 
the  stem,  ovate,  narrowed  into  a  short   petiole,  perishing  before 

52 


slender  ladies'  tresses   (5 piranthes  ccrnua) 
(See  page  54) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

or  at  the  time  of  flowering.     Root,  a  single,  long,  and  narrow  tuber. 
August  and  September. 

Massachusetts  to  Florida,  westward  to  Texas.  In  dry 
soil,  near  the  coast. 

S.  praecox. — An  earlier  blossoming  species  (July  and  August). 
Possibly  a  little  taller  than  the  last,  with  long,  persistent,  grass- 
like root -leaves,  and  bracts  surrounding  the  stem  above.  The 
white  flowers,  often  with  green  veining,  not  fragrant,  stand  out 
horizontally  and  twist  around  the  stem.  Racemes  apt  to  be 
one-sided,   10  to  30  inches  high. 

Spring,  in  the  south ;  summer,  as  far  north  as  New  lersey. 
Near  the  coast. 

Slender  Ladies'  Tresses 

5.  cernua.. — A  variable  species,  both  in  height  and  leaves. 
This  is,  perhaps,  the  commonest  of  the  orchids.  The  different 
species  of  ladies'  tresses  are  much  alike,  all  being  known  by 
the  twisting  of  the  spike  of  flowers.  In  this  species  the  flowers 
are  in  rows  of  threes,  quite  close  together,  slightly  fragrant,  white, 
on  a  straight,  tall  stem.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  stiff  and 
waxy.  The  lip  is  folded  or  wavy,  oblong,  turned  down.  There 
are  long  root-leaves,  which  at  time  of  flowering  have,  generally, 
disappeared.  Leafy  bracts,  beginning  below  the  spike,  follow 
around  with  the  flowers.      September  and  October. 

Wet  meadows,  and  sometimes  in  bogs.  Maine  to  Georgia, 
and  westward.      (See  illustration,  p.  53.) 

Rattlesnake  Plantain 

Epipictis  pubescens.— Family,  Orchis.  These  flowers  are  small, 
about  \  inch  long,  with  free  side  sepals,  the  upper  sepal  with 
the  petals,  united  into  a  helmet-shaped  form.  Lip,  a  pocket,  or 
sac-shaped.  Floivers  in  a  dense,  terminal  spike  on  a  scape  6  to  20 
inches  high,  bearing  several  scales.  Leaves,  several,  clustered  at 
the  root,  ovate,  softly  downy,  conspicuously  veined  with  white. 
August  to  October. 

A  pretty  and  common  plant  of  the  woods,  especially  pine 
woods,  known  at  once  by  the  pretty  rosettes  of  white-veined 
leaves  at  the  root.  Whole  plant  soft-downy.  Range,  over 
the  Atlantic  seaboard  and  westward  to  Tennessee.  (See 
illustration,  p.  55.) 

E.  ripens  is  a  species  found  in  woods,  especially  under  ever- 
greens;   lower  and  more  slender  than  the  last,  with  leaves  not  so 

54 


RATTLESNAKE    PLANTAIN    {EpipOCttS    pttbeSCetls) 
(See  page  54) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

strongly  veined  with  white  as  in  E.  pubescens,  short-petioled, 
ovate,  pointed,  advancing  up  somewhat  on  the  stem  on  one  side. 
Flowers  in  a  one-sided  spike,  small,  greenish  white,  the  lip  pocket- 
shaped  and  curving  backward  at  the  apex.     July  and  August. 

Near  the  coast  and  westward  to  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

E.  decipiens  is  stout-stemmed,  with  leaves  less  strongly  veined 
with  white,  sometimes  not  at  all.  Flowers  rather  crowded  in  one- 
sided racemes.  Lip,  not  sac-shaped,  but  much  swollen  at  base, 
prolonged  into  a  point  at  the  apex.     July  and  August. 

Dry  woods,  northward. 

Lizard's  Tail 

Saururus  cernuus. — Family,  Lizard's  Tail.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
alternate,  ovate,  heart-shaped  at  base,  with  petioles  thin,  dark 
green.     Summer. 

An  example  of  a  perfect  flower — that  is,  possessing  stamens 
and  pistils,  but  without  calyx  or  corolla.  The  flowers  are  on 
short  pedicels,  each  with  a  little  bract  under  it.  They  are 
crowded  in  a  terminal  spike  which  gently  nods  and  waves 
its  numerous  white  threads.  The  stamens  have  long,  dan- 
gling filaments.  The  flowers  are  slightly  fragrant.  The  pet- 
ioled  leaves  have  converging  ribs.  Stem  2  to  5  feet  tall. 
I  have  found  this  flower  growing  out  of  an  old  mill-dam 
where  water  trickling  over  the  stones  kept  it  perpetually 
wet.  Its  usual  habitat  is  a  swamp.  Connecticut  to  Florida 
and  westward.      (See  illustration,  p.  57.) 

Bastard  Toad-flax 

Comandra  umbettata.  —  Family,  Sandalwood.  Color,  greenish 
white.  Leaves,  alternate,  nearly  sessile,  about  1  inch  long,  pale 
green,  pinnately  veined.  No  corolla,  but  a  tubular  calyx,  spread- 
ing at  the  top  and  lengthened  beyond  the  fruit.  At  its  base, 
above  the  ovary,  is  a  thick  disk,  and  from  the  edge  of  this  the 
stamens  spring,  one  opposite  each  lobe  of  the  calyx,  their  anthers 
joined  to  the  center  of  the  disk  by  tufts  of  hair-like  threads. 
Flowers  in  corymb-like  clusters,  terminal  or  in  the  axils  of  the 
uppermost  leaves.  Fruit,  a  roundish  drupe,  tipped  by  the  5 
lobes  of  the  calyx.  Parasitic  on  roots  of  other  plants.  May  to 
July. 

Found  in  dry  fields,  from  Cape  Breton  Island  south  to 
Florida  and  westward  to  the  Pacific  coast. 

56 


FT- 


lizard's  tail  {Saururus  cernuus) 

(See  page  s<>) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Seaside  Knotweed 

Polygonum  maritimum. —  Family,  Buckwheat.  Color,  greenish 
white  or  pinkish.  Leaves,  small,  thickish,  narrowly  oblong, 
jointed  to  the  sheathing  stipules,  their  margins  often  turned  back. 
Low  and  smooth  plants,  with  nearly  sessile  small  flowers,  i  to 
3  clustered  in  the  axils,  without  true  corolla,  but  with  a  5  or 
6-parted,  petal-like  calyx.  Stamens,  8.  Style,  1.  Achene,  tri- 
angular, smooth,  shining.  Flower  pedicels  slender,  jointed,  and 
stem  deeply  lined.     July  to  September. 

The  sheaths,  ocrece,  in  this  Family  are  large,  silvery,  be- 
coming brown  at  base,  torn  or  fringed  on  their  edges.  From 
Maine  to  Florida,  in  sand,  on  the  shore.      (See  Pink  Group, 

P.  251.) 

Water  Smartweed 
P.  acre. — Tall,  erect  perennials,  with  smooth  stems.     Flowers, 
white  or  sometimes  pale  pink,  in  stiff,  upright  spikes.     Stamens, 
8.     From  the  base  of  the  stem  which  rests  upon  the  ground,  root- 
lets spring. 

Wet  ground,  as  banks  of  rivers  and  brooks.  Massa- 
chusetts, along  the  coast,  southward,  also  westward.  (See 
Pink  Group,  p.  251.) 

Halberd-leaved  Tear-thumb 

P.  arifolium. — Color,  pale  pink  or  white.  Leaves,  tapering,  hal- 
berd-shaped, long,  pointed,  stalked.  Petals,  none.  Calyx,  5-parted, 
green,  with  pink  edges.  Stamens,  8.  Styles,  3.  Flowers,  few,  in 
loose  racemes.     Summer  and  early  fall. 

Like  a  cat's  fur,  this  plant  must  be  stroked  the  right  way — 
that  is,  downward.  The  stem  is  then  as  soft  as  satin.  But 
run  your  finger  upward,  a  thousand  vicious  little  prickles 
stand  up  and  scratch  you.  It  is  then  a  tear-thumb.  By 
means  of  these  prickles  the  plant  climbs  over  every  other 
herb  and  shrub  which  chances  to  be  its  neighbor. 
Arrow-leaved  Tear-thumb 

P.  sagittktum  has  short  -  stalked,  arrow  -  shaped  leaves.  The 
flowers — white,  in  little  knots  or  buttons — are  on  the  ends  of  the 
branches.  The  prickles  on  this  species  are  rather  more  savage 
than  in  the  other.     Both  are  common  in  moist,  low  grounds. 

(See  illustration,  p.  59.) 

Coast  Jointweed 
Polygonella  arUculata. — Family,  Buckwheat.     Color,  light   rose, 
almost  white.     Leaves,  jointed  at  base,  sheathing  the  stem,  very 
narrow,  alternate.     September. 

58 


arrow-leaved  tear-thumb   (Polygonum  sagittatum) 
(See  page  58) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

A  beautiful  plant,  with  thread-like  stems  and  leaves,  grow- 
ing in  sandy  soil.  The  flowers  (very  small)  are  on  jointed, 
slender  stalks,  in  small  racemes,  i  to  3  inches  long.  The 
leaves,  sheathing  the  stems  with  thin,  naked  coverings,  show 
that  the  plant  is  a  buckwheat.  The  flowers  have  no  corolla, 
but  a  5 -parted  calyx.  They  are  so  minute  that  they  can 
only  be  studied  through  a  magnifying-glass.  Plant  6  to  12 
inches  tall.  It  grows  in  pure  sand  along  the  railroads  or  by 
waysides,  not  far  from  the  coast  from  Maine  to  Florida. 
Nothing  can  be  more  dainty  than  this  fine,  soft-foliaged 
little  thing.      (See  illustration,  p.  61.) 

Scoke.     Pokeweed.     Garget.     Pigeon  Berry 

Phytolacca,  decandra. — Family,  Pokeweed.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
large,  smooth,  thick,  oval,  pointed,  veiny,  alternate.  Calyx  of  5 
white  sepals,  with  a  pink  tint  on  the  outside.  Corolla,  wanting. 
Stamens,  10,  giving  the  specific  name.  Styles,  10.  Ovary,  green, 
conspicuous,  forming  in  fruit  a  10-celled  berry,  with  a  single  seed 
in  each  cell,  surrounded  with  purplish  juice.  A  tall  weed,  5  to 
10  feet  high,  with  stout,  upright  stems  and  flowers  in  racemes, 
rank-stemmed,  with  a  broad,  poisonous  root.  The  berries  cannot 
be  poisonous,  for  birds  eat  them.     July  to  September. 

This  is  one  of  the  plants  that  springs  up  in  burned-over  dis- 
tricts. In  one  season  such  blackened  ground  bears  myriads 
of  gargets  where  none  was  seen  before.  They  also  like  to 
creep  up'  near  dwellings.  I  have  in  mind  one  which  grows 
back  of  a  country  church,  close  to  its  wall,  always  in  the 
shade,  reaching  the  pulpit  window  with  its  tall  stem. 

"Its  cylindrical  racemes  of  berries  of  various  hues,  from 
green  to  dark  purple,  6  or  7  inches  long,  are  gracefully  droop- 
ing on  all  sides,  offering  repasts  to  the  birds,  and  even  the 
sepals  from  which  the  birds  have  picked  the  berries  are  a 
brilliant  lake-red,  with  crimson,  flame-like  reflections,  equal 
to  anything  of  the  kind — all  on  fire  with  ripeness." — Thoreau. 

Forked  Chickweed 

Anychia  potygonoides.  —  Family,  Knot  wort.  Color,  greenish 
white.     Leaves,  minute,  very  narrow,  with  small  stipules. 

A  difficult  plant  to  analyze,  on  account  of  the  minuteness  of 
the  flower,  which  can  be  studied  only  under  a  magnifying-glass. 
It  will  then  be  seen  to  be  minus  corolla,  with  a  dry,  leathery  calyx 
of  5  sepals,  2  or  3  stamens,  2  stigmas.  Flowers,  nearly  sessile,  clus- 
tered.    Fruit,  1 -seeded,  bladder-like.     Height,  1  to  2  feet.     Stem 

60 


COAST  JOINTWEED    (Polygonclla  articulaia) 
(See  page  58) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

forking  many  times  into  spreading  branches.     The  minute  flowers 
lie  in  the  forks.      Summer. 

Open  woods,  New  England  to  Florida,  and  westward. 

Carpet   Weed.     Indian  Chickweed 

Mollugo  <verticillata. — Family,  Aizoaceae.  No  petals,  but  5  sepals, 
which  are  white  inside,  green  outside.  Leaves,  small,  in  whorls 
at  the  rooting  stem-joints,  broad,  obtuse  at  apex,  narrow  at  base. 
July  and  August. 

A  prostrate  plant  of  the  nature  of  a  weed,  common,  grow- 
ing in  sterile  soil,  in  beaten  paths  and  cultivated  ground, 
too  humble,  almost,  to  attract  notice. 

Corn  Spurrey 

Spergula  arvensis. — Family,  Pink.  Sepals  and  petals,  5  each. 
Stamens,  generally,  5  or  10.  Styles,  5.  Leaves,  whorled,  1  to  2 
inches  long,  thread-like,  with  very  small  stipules.    July  and  August. 

A  delicate,  pretty  plant  of  a  bright  green  color  in  stem 
and  leaves,  6  to  18  inches  high,  found  mainly  in  corn  or 
grain  fields.     (See  illustration,  p.  63.) 

Pearlwort 

Sagina  procumbens.  — Family,  Pink.  Sepals,  4  or  5,  longer 
than  the  petals,  broad.  Petals,  4,  or  sometimes  wanting.  Stamens, 
as  many  as  sepals,  or  twice  as  many.  Styles,  4  or  5.  Leaves, 
small,  thread-like,  numerous.  After  flowering,  the  leaf-stems 
sometimes  become  hooked  at  the  top.     Summer. 

A  small,  matted  plant,  moss-like,  spreading  on  the  ground 
in  damp  woods,  on  wet  rocks,  and  near  springs,  chiefly  near 
the  coast. 

5.  decumbens. — Petals,  4,  small,  or  sometimes  wanting.  Sepals, 
stamens,  and  styles,  4.  Leaves,  short,  bristle-tipped,  thin,  hairy, 
clustered  near  the  base.     Summer. 

Sandy  soil. 

Pine-barren  Sandwort 

Arenkria  caroliniana.—  Family,  Pink.  Sepals  and  petals,  5. 
Stamens,  10.  Styles,  3.  The  pod  splits  into  3  parts  when  ripe. 
Leaves,  overlapping,  spreading,  bristly,  awl-shaped.  A  tufted 
plant  with  short  and  grooved  stems.     May  to  August. 

Above,  the  branches  are  leafless  and  bear  many  flowers  in 
cymes.  A  pretty  flower,  growing  in  sand.  I  have  found  it 
growing  on  the  road  from  Bridgehampton  to  East  Hamp- 

62 


corn  spurrey   (Spergula  arvensis) 

(See  page  62) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

ton,  Long  Island,  looking  brightly  out  of  arid  sand  where  one 
would  think  nothing  could  grow.  New  York,  Xew  Jersey, 
and  southward. 

Broad-leaved  Sandwort 
A.   lateriflora.. —  Sepals,    petals,    5    or    4.     Stamens,     10.      Pod, 
3-celled.      Leaves,    blunt,    oval   or   oblong,    sessile,    about    1    inch 
long.     May  and  June. 

Small,  star-like  flowers,  on  low,  erect,  downy  branches, 
2  to  4  on  the  peduncles.      In  sand,  near  the  coast. 

Sea-beach  Sandwort 
A.    peplotdes.  —  A    fleshy    plant,    growing    from    a    rootstock. 
Branches  6  to  10  inches  high,  ascending,  bear  flowers  sessile  and 
terminal   in  the  axils  of  the  thick,  partly  clasping,  ovate  leaves. 
June. 

In  sand,  near  the  coast.  Maine  to  New  Jersey  and  north- 
ward. 

Thyme-leaved  Sandwort 

A.  serpyllifblia. — Parts  of  the  flower  like  the  foregoing.  The 
pod,  when  ripe,  splits  first  into  3,  then  into  6  pieces.  Leaves, 
opposite,  small,  pointed.  Flowers  in  leafy  cymes.  June  to  Au- 
gust. 

Sandy  soil.  A  common  little  dooryard  plant,  much 
branched  and  leafy. 

Common  Chickweed 

Stellkria  media. — Family,  Pink.  (Stella,  a  star,  from  the  star- 
shaped  flowers.)  Sepals,  petals,  like  most  of  this  Family,  4  or  5. 
Stamens,  twice  as  many.  Styles,  3.  Petals  shorter  than  sepals, 
divided  so  as  to  look  like  S  or  10.  Leaves,  ovate  or  oblong, 
petioled,  with  hairy  lines.  Weak  -  stemmed  and  prostrate. 
Spring  and  summer.     A  weed. 

It  prefers  shady,  damp  ground,  but  will  grow  almost  any- 
where in  gardens.  The  little  round  pods,  as  well  as  leaves, 
make  food  for  caged  birds. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Gibson  has  found  the  chickweed  blossoming 
under  snow  in  midwinter.  He  says:  "It  must  indeed  be  a 
cold  day  when  "  'The  chickweed's  eye  is  closed.'  You 
are  always  sure  of  it.  Even  in  midwinter,  if  you  know  its 
haunt  in  some  sunny  nook,  you  may  dig  away  the  snow 
and  pick  its  white,  starry  blossoms,  larger  and  fuller  now 
than  those  of  summer." 

64 


WHITE    GROUP 

Long-leaved  Stitchwort 
5.  longifolia.  has  a  number  of  small,  star-shaped  white  flowers 
on  long  pedicels,  in  cymes.     Sterns,  sometimes  with  rough  angles, 
8  to  1 8  inches  high.     Leaves,  long  and  narrow.     Widely  spread, 
growing  in  grass. 

Northern  Stitchwort 
5.  boreklis.— Petals,  2  to  5,  very  short,  overtopped  by  the  calyx, 
often  none.  Styles,  4.  Leaves,  broadly  lance  -  shaped,  sessile, 
very  bright  green.  Stem,  weak,  much  forked,  the  flowers  in  leafy 
cymes  at  the  ends  and  in  the  forks  of  the  branches.  6  to  18 
inches  high.      Summer. 

Wet    meadows    and    low,  shaded    grounds.     New   Jersey- 
northward  and  westward. 

Swamp  Starwort.     Marsh  Chickweed 
S.   uliginbsa.. — Flowers  in  sessile,  broad,  flat   clusters.     Leaves, 
lance-shaped,  6  to  16  inches  high.     Summer. 

This  is  not  a  common  plant.  It  may  be  distinguished  by 
the  prolongation  of  the  stem  beyond  the  flowers,  leaving  the 
cyme  of  blossoms  lateral  instead  of  terminal  as  in  other 
chickweeds.  It  is  weak-stemmed,  reclining. 
Mouse-ear  Chickweed 
Cerastium  viscosum. — Family,  Pink.  (Generic  name  means  a 
horn,  from  size  and  shape  of  the  pod.)  All  parts  of  the  flower 
in  fives.  Petals,  2  -  cleft.  Leaves,  ovate,  oblong,  hairy.  An 
annual,  rather  clammy,  rough,  6  to  8  inches  high.  The  tiny 
flowers  are  in  clusters,  terminating  the  stem.  Pods  grow  quite 
long  on  long  pedicels.     May  and  June. 

Grassy  lawns   and  fields   in   the   Middle   Atlantic   States, 
widely  extended. 

Field  Mouse-ear  Chickweed 
C.  ar<vense. — Petals,  inversely  heart-shaped,  more  than  twice 
the  length  of  the  sepals.  Pods,  quite  long.  The  narrow,  lance- 
shaped,  opposite  leaves  grow  smaller  toward  the  end  of  the  branch, 
on  weak  petioles.  Stems,  ascending,  somewhat  downy,  4  to  8 
inches  high.  May  to  July. 
Dry,  rocky  fields. 

Common  Mouse-ear  Chickweed 
C.  vulgktam. — This  species  has  larger,  pedicelled  flowers,  clus- 
tered on  spreading  stems  which  are  clammy  and  hairy,  ascend - 

<>5 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    PLOWERS 

ing  to  about  a  foot  in  height.     Upper  leaves  are  thin  bracts.     May 
to  July. 

In  dooryards  and  fields,  a  weed. 

C.  nutans. — Petals,  often  small  or  wanting;  when  present,  longer 
than  the  calyx.  Leaves,  lance-shaped  to  oblong.  Pods,  promi- 
nent, nodding  on  the  stalks,  curving  upward  at  the  apex.  The 
planl  sends  up  straight,  slender  stems,  much  branched,  iS  inches 
high  or  less.     May  to  July. 

Moist,  rich  soil.     New  England  States  and  westward. 

White  Campion.     Evening  Lychnis 

Lychnis  alba..  —  Family,  Pink.  Color,  white,  sometimes  with 
a  pink  tinge.  Calyx,  tubular,  rough,  hairy,  with  5  teeth.  Petals 
on  claws,  with  crowns  at  base,  2-cleft.  Leaves,  ovate  to  lance- 
shaped,  sessile  above,  with  margined  petioles  below.  Biennial, 
branching  from  a  stem  r  to  2  feet  high.  Flowers  slightly  fragrant, 
opening  in  the  evening,  closing  with  daylight.  Pod  opening  by 
ten  teeth.     Summer. 

Waste  places. 

Starry  Campion 

Silene  stettkta.  —  Family,  Pink.  Calyx,  bell  -  shaped,  swollen, 
5-pointed,  often  brownish  or  reddish,  sticky.  Petals,  fringed,  on 
claws.  Stamens,  10.  Styles,  3.  Pod,  1  -celled.  Leaves,  in  whorls 
of  fours,  smaller  toward  the  top,  pointed,  somewhat  toothed. 
Floivers,  conspicuous,  large,  1  inch  across,  in  a  terminal  panicle. 
Stetn,  swollen  at  the  joints  and  viscid,  from  which  property  the 
English  name  catchfly  is  derived.  Height,  2  to  3  feet.  June 
and  July. 

A  showy  plant,  sure  to  catch  the  eye  of  the  stroller  on 
hillsides,  and  well  worth  our  attention.  Hills  and  rocky 
banks.      (See  illustration,  p.  67.) 

Bladder  Campion 

S.  latifblia. — Calyx,  5-toothed,  prettily  veined,  much  swollen. 
Petals,  5,  so  deeply  divided  as  to  seem  like  10.  Stamens,  10. 
Styles,  3.  Flowers,  in  loose  panicles.  Leaves,  ovate  to  lance- 
shaped,  opposite. 

A  smooth  plant,  1  foot  high,  easily  known  by  its  inflated 
calyx  and  good-sized  flowers.  An  imported  species,  now 
common  in  some  parts  of  New  England  and  New  York,  ex- 
tending westward  to  Illinois.      Dry  fields,  waste  places. 

66 


STARRY    CAMPION     {SllctlC    Stellata) 
(Sec  page  oo) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   To    WILD    FLOWERS 

Night-flowering  Catchfly 

S.  noctiflbra.—  This  species  opens  its  petals  only  by  night.  The 
calyx  is  somewhat  swollen,  i  inch  long.  Leaves,  long,  narrow, 
taiiering  to  a  point. 

The  pretty,  fragrant  flowers  invite  the  night-moths  by 
throwing  open  their  petal  doors  by  night.  In  the  daytime 
they  arc  only  wilted,  uninteresting  flowers. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Gibson  says:  "  '  Is  not  the  midnight  like  Central 
Africa  to  most  of  us?'  asks  Thoreau;  and  not  without  reason. 
for  even  the  best-informed  student  of  daylight  natural  his- 
tory may  visit  his  accustomed  haunts  in  the  darkness  as  a 
pilgrim  in  a  strange  land.  At  least  once  in  the  summer  to 
light  our  lantern  and  walk  among  the  flowers  would  well 
repay  us,  for  the  flowers  and  leaves  asleep  are  a  strange,  un- 
wonted sight.  And  occasionally  the  rule  is  reversed,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  night-flowering  catchfly,  and  the  flower,  like 
some  belle  of  the  ball  dressed  in  white,  is  awake,  entertaining 
insect  guests,  to  whom  her  portals  are  closed  by  day." 

Water  Nymph.     Water  Lily 

Castklia  odorkta. —  Family,  Water  Lily.  Sepals,  4.  Petals, 
numerous,  the  outer  broad,  concave,  growing  narrower  toward 
the  center,  and  passing  into  stamens.  According  to  some  au- 
thorities, this  flower  exhibits  rather  the  transformation  of  stamens 
into  petals.  Pistil,  with  a  many-celled  ovary,  whose  rounded 
top  bears  radiate  stigmas  around  a  central  projection.  The  stem 
is  hollow,  long  enough  to  bring  the  blossom  out  of  water.  Leaves, 
thick,  roundish,  heart-shaped,  6  or  8  inches  across,  long-petioled, 
with  entire  margins,  often  reddish  underneath.     June  to  August. 

The  flower  opens  in  the  morning  and  closes  at  night. 

This  pure  and  beautiful  water  queen,  with  its  ravishing 
fragrance,  is  everywhere  a  favorite.  Its  large,  handsome 
leaves  make  us  think  of  smooth  waters  with  green  banks,  and 
an  idle  hour,  perhaps,  spent  in  a  rowboat  with  a  friend. 
Pity  that  such  nymphs  should  have  acquired  a  commercial 
value,  and  that  boys  with  hot,  perspiring  hands  should  drag 
them  about  in  the  sun  on  our  city  streets  and  into  the  rail- 
way trains  for  the  few  pennies  they  will  bring. 

Common  White  Water  Crowfoot 

Ranunculus  aquatilis,  v.-ir.  capillaceous. —  Family,  Crowfoot. 
Petals  and  sepals,  5.     At  the  base  of  the  petals  a  spot  or  indenta- 

68 


WHITE   GROUP 

tion  may  be  found.  Stems  about  i  foot  long.  Leaves,  soft,  finely 
cut,  hair-like,  with  a  dilated  stem.  They  all  float  under  water, 
and  collapse  when  taken  out. 

A  delicate,  rather  pretty  plant,  found  in  shallow,  slow 
waters. 

Stiff  Water  Crowfoot 

R.  circinztus.— This  has  blossoms  similar  to  the  last,  but  differs 
in  its  leaves,  which  are  sessile,  rigid,  divided,  all  growing  under 
water,  but  not  collapsing  when  taken  out.  They  have  broad, 
large  stipules.     About  i  foot  long. 

Aquatic,  found  in  slow  streams  from  Vermont  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  westward. 

Tall  Meadow  Rue 

Thalictrum  polygamum.  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Flowers  in  com- 
pound panicles.  Petals,  none.  Sepals,  white.  The  stamens  and 
pistils  are  borne  on  different  plants.  The  staminate  flowers  are 
the  prettier,  in  compound  panicles,  loose  and  feathery,  with  white 
filaments,  thicker  toward  the  top.  The  pistillate  flowers  are 
smaller,  more  compact,  and  greener.  Leaves,  thrice  compound, 
cut  into  fine  segments,  the  leaflets  being  small,  rounded  or 
lobed,  oblong,  stalked.     July  to  September. 

A  plant  lovely  both  in  its  soft,  feathery  blossoms  and  its 
delicate  foliage,  growing  tall,  sometimes  8  feet.  It  masses 
beautifully  with  clumps  of  wild  roses  wherever  the  soil  is 
wet  and  springy.  My  own  observation  indicates  that  the 
plants  bearing  staminate  flowers  are  much  more  common 
than  those  bearing  pistillate.  I  have  often  failed  to  find 
one  of  the  latter  among  many  of  the  former. 
Rue  Anemone 

Anemonella.  ihalictroides.—  Family,  Crowfoot.  No  petals.  Sepals, 
5  to  10,  rather  large,  white,  occasionally  pinkish.  Floiuers,  sev- 
eral, in  an  umbel.  At  the  base  of  this  umbel  is  an  involucre  of 
long-petioled,  roundish,  3-lobed  leaflets.  A  leaf,  similar  in  shape, 
arises  from  the  root  on  a  slender  petiole,  which  disappears  early. 
Roots  a  cluster  of  thickened  tubers.  This  is  often  confounded 
with  the  wood  anemone. 

A  delicate  beauty,  both  in  its  foliage  and  flowers,  growing 
from  a  cluster  of  tubers  (like  miniature  dahlia  roots),  quick- 
ly withering  after  being  picked.  If  one  wants  a  bit  of  the 
woods  transplanted  to  the  house,  they  may  be  carefully 
taken  up  by  the  roots  and  set  in  a  saucer  of  moss.      For 

60 


rue  anemone  (Anemonella  thalictroides) 
(See  page  69) 


WHITE    GROUP 

table  decoration  there  can  be   nothing   daintier.      (See  illus- 
tration, p.  70.) 

Thimbleweed 

Anemone  ripkrU. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  white.  Petals, 
none.  Sepals,  large,  looking  like  petals,  softly  silky  underneath. 
Pistils  and  stamens,  numerous.  Fruit,  a  cylindrical  head  which 
suggests  the  common  name  of  thimbleweed.  Achenes,  flat,  clot  hed 
with  long,  woolly  hairs.  Leaves,  compound  or  dissected,  from  the 
root.  The  stem  bears,  some  distance  below  the  flowers,  an  in- 
volucre of  long-petioled,  lance-shaped,  thin  leaflets.      May,  June. 

A  tall  species  with  showy  flowers.  The  stem  branches 
above  into  2  or  more  single-flowered  peduncles.  River- 
banks  from  Maine  to  eastern  Pennsylvania. 

A*  cylindrica.  is  a  slender,  silky-stemmed  plant,  with  a  whorl 
of  involucral,  3-divided  leaves  half-way  up  the  main  stem,  from 
which  spring  2  or  3  naked  flower  -  stalks,  or  perhaps  a  single 
peduncle  having  a  second  whorl  of  smaller,  cut  leaves.  Plant 
about  2  feet  high,  with  greenish-white  sepals. 

These  two  species  are  very  similar.  Attention  to  their 
foliage  will  enable  one  to  distinguish  between  them. 

Wind  Flower.     Wood  Anemone 

A.  quinquefblia.. — Color,  white,  the  sepals  sometimes  striped  or 
tinted  with  blue  or  rose  outside.  Petals,  none.  Sepals,  4  to  7, 
like  petals.  Stamens,  many.  Pistils,  15  to  20,  forming  a  head 
of  carpels,  with  hooked  beaks  in  fruit.  Flower,  single,  large,  open, 
1  inch  broad,  slightly  nodding.  Leaves,  from  the  root,  and  3  on 
the  flower-stem,  forming  an  involucre  above  the  middle.  Leallei  s 
3-divided,  the  lateral  in  one  variety  2-parted,  oblong  in  general 
outline,  on  long  petioles.     April  and  May. 

A  delicate  little  plant,  one  of  the  first  to  appear  in  spring. 
It  grows  from  a  thin,  elongated  rootstock.  Sterile  plants 
also  come  up,  consisting  of  a  single  root-leaf.  It  is  a  sure 
proof  that  winter  is  gone  when  the  first  wind  flower  appears 
in  protected  nooks,  looking  bravely  out  into  the  new  world, 
daring  late  frosts  and  winds,  secure  in  that  very  fragileness 
which  bends  to  the  strong  blasts. 

Open  woods  or  margins  of  deeper  woods.  Also  found  in 
pine  woods.      (See  illustration,  p.  72.) 

Goldthread 
Coptis  trifblia.     (Coptis,  to  cut,  alluding  to  the  divided  leaves.) 

—Family,  Crowfoot.      Sepals,  5  to  7,  falling  early.      Petals,  same 

71 


wind  FLOWER,      wood  anemonr  (Anemone  qiiinqucfolia) 
(See  page  7  I ) 


WHITE    GROUP 

number,  club-shaped,  small,  thick,  fleshy,  and  hollow  at  apex. 
Stamens,  numerous.  Pistils,  3  to  7,  stalked.  Flowers  on  leafless 
scapes,  not  conspicuous.  Leaves  from  the  root,  3-lobed,  the 
leaflets  sharply  toothed,  shining,  evergreen.  Stems,  low,  smooth. 
May  to  July. 

The  beauty  of  the  plant  lies  in  the  leaves,  which  nestle 
among  bog-mosses  and  are  bright  and  shining  the  summer 
through.  The  "goldthread"  appears  when  we  dig  up  the 
root  and  find  it  composed  of  long,  yellow  fibers. 

Dwarf  Larkspur 

Delphinium  tricorne. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  white  or  blue. 
(See  among  Blue  Flowers,  p.  310.) 

Black  Snakeroot.     Black  Cohosh.     Bugbane 

Cimicifuga  ra.cem.osa. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Sepals,  4  or  5,  soon 
falling.  Petals,  small,  on  claws,  2 -horned,  like  transformed  sta- 
mens. Stamens,  many,  on  slender,  white  filaments,  giving  the 
flower  a  feathery  appearance.  Pistils,  1,  sometimes  2  or  3,  form- 
ing a  curious  ovoid  pod  in  fruit.  Flowers  in  long,  wand-like 
racemes  which  extend  in  fruit  2  or  3  feet.  Stem,  often  tall,  7  or  8 
feet,  from  a  rootstock.  Leaves,  alternate,  twice  or  thrice  com- 
pound, the  leaflets  small,  cut  and  toothed,  on  long  petioles.     July. 

A  conspicuous,  coarse  plant,  with  an  unpleasant  odor.  It 
is  supposed  to  be  poisonous  to  insects. 

Red  Baneberry 

Actaea  rubra*  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color  of  blossom  white; 
berries  bright  red.  Sepals,  4  or  5,  falling  early.  Petals,  4  to  10, 
small,  broadened  above,  on  slender  claws.  Stamens,  numerous, 
with  white  filaments.  Pistil,  1,  making  a  many-seeded,  oval 
berry.  Leaves,  large,  broad,  twice  or  thrice  compound,  the  leaflets 
cut  and  toothed.  Flowers  in  a  short,  thick  raceme  at  the  end 
of  the  stem  which  bears  few  leaves,  about  2  feet  high.  April 
and  May. 

A  handsome  plant,  especially  when  its  bright  fruit  en- 
livens the  woods.     Common  northward. 

White  Baneberry 

A.  alba  is  even  more  conspicuous,  with  white  berries  on  curi- 
ously thickened  red  stalks.  At  the  tip  of  the  berry  is  a  black- 
spot.  Its  compound,  sharply-toothed  leaves  are  broad  and 
handsome.     The  berries  of  Actaea  are  poisonous. 

Both  species  have  a  wide  range  in  our  Eastern  woods,  from 
New  England  southward. 

73 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

The  flowers  of  this  species  appear  a  little  later  than  those 
of  the  red  baneberry. 

Golden  Seal.    Orange  Root.    Yellow  Puccoon 

Hydrastis  canadensis.  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  greenish 
white.  Petals,  none.  Sepals,  3,  colored,  soon  falling.  Stamens, 
numerous.  Pistils,  about  12,  with  flat,  double  stigmas.  Fruit, 
a  head  of  crimson,  2-seeded  berries.  Rootstock  yellow  and  bitter. 
Leaves,  1  from  the  root,  2  near  the  summit  of  the  hairy  stem, 
rounded  or  heart-shaped  at  base,  5  to  7-lobed,  4  to  9  inches 
wide,  doubly  toothed.      Early  spring. 

An  interesting  little  plant  with  a  single  flower  terminating 
a  low  and  hairy  stem,  bearing  a  pair  of  quite  large  leaves. 
From  New  York  southward  and  westward.  Rich,  moist 
\\<  u  ids  from  New  England  southward. 

May  Apple.     Mandrake 

Podophyllum  peltktum.  —  Family,  Barberry.  Sepals,  6,  falling 
early.  Petals,  6  to  9,  roundish.  Stamens,  twice  as  many  as 
petals.  Fruit,  a  large  berry,  with  many  seeds  filling  the  cavity. 
The  large,  solitary  flower  droops  from  a  short  peduncle  between 
the  leaves.  Three  green  bractlets  lie  underneath,  which  soon 
fall.  Besides  the  flowering  stems,  other  stems  arise  from  the 
rootstock  bearing  one  roundish,  7  to  9-lobed  leaf,  with  the  stalk 
joined  underneath  to  the  middle.  Leaves,  2  on  forking,  stout 
petioles  rising  above  the  flower.  Large,  variously  5  to  9-lobed, 
the  stalk  affixed  underneath,  a  little  distance  from  the  edge.     May. 

The  children  call  these  umbrella  leaves.  The  fruit,  called 
in  New  Jersey  May  apple,  is  edible — that  is,  it  is  sweetish 
and  not  poisonous,  as  arc  all  other  parts  of  this  singular 
plant.  In  New  England,  May  apple  is  the  name  of  a  modi- 
fied bud  which  produces  a  singular  pulpous  body  upon  the 
azalea. 

Mr.  Gibson  speaks  of  the  mandrake  berry  as  "a  yellow, 
tomato-like  affair,"  which,  he  adds,  "has  a  selfish  errand  in 
life.  It  is  filled  with  seeds,  and  is  concerned  only  in  its  own 
posterity." 

Twinleaf.     Rheumatism  Root 

Jeffersbnia  diphylla  (named  after  Thomas  Jefferson). — Family, 
Barberry.  Sepals,  4.  Petals  and  stamens,  8.  Pod,  with  many 
seeds,  opening  by  a  horizontal  slit.  Flower,  one  inch  across,  single, 
on  a  naked  scape,  6  to  <S  inches  high.  Leaves,  all  from  the  root, 
long-petiolcd,  divided  into  2  ovate  leaflets.     April  and  May. 

A  plant  of  low  growth,  with  fibrous  roots,  perennial,  not 

74 


WHITE    GROUP 

uncommon  in  the  open  woods  of  western  New  York,  south- 
ward and  westward. 

Umbrella  Leaf 

Diphylleia  cymbsa. — Family,  Barberry.  Sepals,  petals,  and  sta- 
mens, 6.  Sepals  falling  early.  Fruit,  a  few-seeded  blue  berry. 
Flowers  in  cymes,  terminating  the  stem,  which  grows  from  a 
thick  rootstock.  Leaf,  one  very  large,  from  the  root,  roundish, 
deeply  cut  into  nearly  equal  halves,  each  half  being  5  to  7- 
lobed,  with  petiole  fastened  underneath,  like  an  open  umbrella. 
Often  2  more  similar  leaves,  but  smaller,  joined  to  petioles  near 
the  margin  of  the  leaf,  on  the  flower-stem.     May. 

Near  springs  on  the  mountains  of  Virginia  and  southward. 

Bloodroot 

Sanguinkria  canadensis. —  Family,  Poppy.  Sepals,  2.  Petals, 
8  to  12.  Stamens,  many.  Pistil,  1.  Fruit,  an  oblong,  dry  pod. 
Leaf,  1,  from  a  short  rootstock,  rounded,  deeply  lobed.  April 
and  May. 

This  beautiful,  snowy  flower  of  early  spring  grows  on  a 
naked  scape  accompanied  by  a  single  large,  round  leaf,  which 
infolds  the  bud  and  expands  with  the  flower.  Both  come 
from  a  thick  rootstock  filled  with  a  blood-red  juice,  which 
stains  the  hands  picking  the  flower.  There  are  many  woods 
and  low  hillsides  dotted  with  these  pure  flowers  in  their  sea- 
son, which  alone  are  worth  a  trip  from  the  city  to  see.  (Sec 
illustration,  p.  76.) 

White  Poppy 

Paparuer  somniferum. — Family,  Poppy.  Color,  white  or  bluish 
purple.  Sepals,  2,  thin,  falling  after  the  flower  appears.  Petals, 
4.  Numerous  stamens.  Style  short,  and  stigma  broad,  oxer- 
hanging  the  ovary.  Leaves,  alternate,  divided,  clasping,  cut, 
toothed.  Fruit,  1  inch  in  diameter,  opening  by  chinks  under 
the  edge  of  the  stigma.  Stem,  from  1  to  3  feet  high,  somewhat 
hairy.  Buds  droop  on  the  stem;  the  flower  is  erect.  Late  spring 
and  summer.      (Listed  also  under  Purple  Group,  p.  3I0.)[ 

This  is  the  opium  poppy,  cultivated  so  largely  in  Turkey 
and  India. 

The  part  of  the  plant  used  in  commerce  is  the  milky  juice 
which  exudes  from  the  capsules.  These  are  carefully  cut  in 
the  evening,  and  the  juice  is  collected  next  morning.  When 
sufficient  liquid  has  been  gathered  on  one  dish,  it  is  drained 

7  5 


bloodroot  {Sangninaria  canadensis) 
(Soo  pagft  75) 


WHITE    GROUP 

and  evaporated,  made  into  round  halls,  and  placed  on  slats 
to  dry.     The  opium  balls  are  then  ready  for  market. 

Opium  contains  morphine,  narcotinc,  codeine,  thebaine, 
papaverine,  etc.  Its  use  in  medicine  is  well  known.  The 
Romans  understood  its  medicinal  properties.  Virgil  speaks 
of  the  plant,  and  of  its  sleep-producing  capacities. 

Dutchman's  Breeches 

Dicentra  Cucullaria  (2 -spurred).  —  Family,  Fumitory.  Color, 
white,  tipped  with  pale  yellow.  Sepals,  2,  small,  scale-like. 
Petals,  4,  slightly  joined;  the  2  outer  forming  2  spurs,  spreading 
apart,  longer  than  the  short  flower-stalk.  Stamens,  6,  Pistil,  1. 
Leaves,  on  slender  petioles,  from  rootstocks,  thrice  -  compound 
and  variously  cut  into  long  and  narrow  divisions.     April. 

Rich  woods  in  the  Northern  States,  as  far  south  as  South 
Carolina.  The  plant  grows  from  a  scaly  bulb,  composed  of 
grain-like  tubers. 

The  odd  flowers  grow  in  a  raceme  on  leafless  scapes.  One 
of  the  prettiest  of  our  wood-dwellers.  Is  it  a  mere  coinci- 
dence that  so  many  of  our  early  spring  flowers  are  of  the 
fragile,  delicate  sort,  while  summer  and  autumn  bring  heavier 
bloom,  as  if  the  nature  hand  were  at  first  hesitating  and 
timid,  and  later  acquired  a  bolder  stroke?  The  wild  sun- 
flower, for  example,  with  bur-marigolds  and  tall  asters,  can 
only  be  associated  with  fall,  while  saxifrages,  violets,  spring 
beauties,  hepaticas,  fumitory,  and  pale  corydalis  seem  from 
their  very  nature  to  be  blown  from  the  breath  of  spring. 
(\See  illustration,  p.  78.) 

A  cultivated  species  of  this  Family,  Dielytra,  is  well  known 
from  its  blood-red,   spurred,   heart-shaped  corolla.     One  of 
its  common  names  is  bleeding  heart. 
Squirrel  Corn 

D.  canadensis.  —  Found  more  in  northerly  woods.  Under- 
ground shoots  bear  yellow,  small  tubers,  resembling  grains  of 
corn.  The  flowers  are  white  or  greenish,  tinged  with  pink,  with 
short  spurs,  and  a  prominent  crest  on  the  two  inner  petals.  Leaves 
like  the  last.  A  delicate  fragrance,  as  of  hyacinths,  pervades 
these  dear  little  flowers. 

Whitlow  Grass 
Drkba  <verna. — Family,  Mustard.    Sepals  and  petals,  4,  the  latter 
deeply  2-cleft .    Pistil,  1 .    Pods  on  long  stalks, oval,  pointed.    /  1 
all  tufted  at  the  root,  oblong  or  lance-shaped.     April  and  May. 

77 


Dutchman's  breeches   (Diccntra  Cucitllaria) 
(See  page  77) 


WHITE    GROUP 

The  small  jloivcrs,  so  small  as  almost  to  escape  notice,  are 
borne  on  leafless  scapes,  from  i  to  5  inches  high.  They  are 
cleistogamous,  not  fitted  for  cross-pollination,  but  pollinated 
in  the  buds,  before  the  flowers  open.  Introduced  from 
Europe,  growing  in  sandy  soil  along  roadsides  and  in  waste 
places. 

D.  ca.rolinia.na.. — Sepals  and  petals,  4.  Pod,  smooth,  linear,  on 
a  short  stalk.  Leaves,  alternate,  hairy,  oblong,  sessile.  A  small 
plant,  less  than  5  inches  high,  with  little  white  flowers  in  a  raceme 
which  becomes  about  r  inch  long  in  fruit.  Sometimes  the  petals 
are  wanting.     March  to  May. 

Not  so  well  known  as,  but  earlier  than,  the  whitlow  grass. 
This  species,  coming  into  bloom  in  March,  is  one  of  our  earliest 
flowers. 

Sandy  and  waste  fields  from  Massachusetts  southward  and 
westward. 

Wild  Peppergrass 

Lepidium  'birglnicum. —  Family,  Mustard.  Stamens,  2.  Pod, 
roundish,  notched  above,  divided  by  a  partition  into  2  1 -seeded 
cells,  which  are  flattened  at  right  angles  to  the  partition.  Leaves, 
thin,  tapering  at  the  base,  upper  lance-shaped,  deeply  toothed, 
the  lower  often  cut.  Flowers,  very  small,  arranged  in  long  racemes. 
Taste  peppery.     2  feet  high  or  less. 

A  weed  found  along  roadsides  and  in  waste  fields. 

Shepherd's  Purse 

Capselta  Bursa -pastoris. —  Family,  Mustard.  Leaves,  mostly 
clustered  at  root,  with  a  few  arrow-shaped,  scattered  along  the 
stem,  all  much  and  variously  cut,  sessile.  Small,  white  flowers 
grow  in  long  racemes,  the  triangular  pods,  called  silicles,  rapidly 
forming  below.  Pod,  2-valved,  valves  boat  -  shaped.  6  to  20 
inches  high.     Common  weeds. 

Mouse-ear  Cress 

Sisymbrium  Thalianum. — Family,  Mustard.  Leaves,  oblong,  en- 
tire or  slightly  toothed.  A  small  plant,  branched,  rough  hairy  .it 
base.     The  4-sided  pods  are  longer  than  the  pedicels.    Early  spring. 

Imported  from  Europe,  and  found  here  in  old,  rocky  fields 
from  Massachusetts  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

Water  Cress 

Radkula    Nasturtium- aquaticum. —  Family,   Mustard.     Flowers, 
as    in    others    of    this    Family.     Pods,   short.     Leaves,    pinnate. 
(i  79 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Aquatic  or  found  in  wet  ditches  or  in  marshes.      Used  for  salad 
and  for  garnishing  dishes. 

Crinkle-root.  Pepper-root.  Toothwort 
Dentaria  diphylla. —  Family,  Mustard.  Pod,  long  and  flat. 
Flowers,  in  a  terminal  corymb.  Rootstock,  edible,  5  to  10  inches 
long,  tasting  like  water-cress.  Leaves,  on  the  stem  and  from  the 
root,  whorled  or  opposite,  petioled,  each  divided  into  3  coarsely 
toothed  leaflets.     May. 

Perennials,- found  in  cool,  moist  woods  in  the  Northern  and 
.Middle  States. 

D.  Ucinikta. — Color,  pale  purple  or  nearly  white.  Leaves,  in  2 
or  3  whorls,  on  the  stem,  3  in  each  whorl,  long-petioled,  each  leaf 
3-parted,  into  linear  or  lance-shaped  leaflets,  which  are  irregularly 
and  deeply  toothed.  Similar  root-leaves,  or  none.  April  and 
May,  as  early  as  March  in  the  South.  (See  p.  311  under  Purple 
Group.) 

A  short  raceme  of  flowers  terminates  the  unbranched  stem. 
A  pretty  species,  with  graceful  foliage,  found  from  New 
England  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

Spring  Cress 

Ca.rdi.mine  bulbbsa. — Family,  Mustard.  Flowers,  in  fours,  but 
6  stamens,  2  being  shorter  than  the  others.  Pod,  long,  tipped 
with  the  slender  style,  and  large  stigma,  2-valved,  opening  with  a 
sudden  movement,  disclosing  a  single  row  of  seeds  in  each  cell. 
Leaves,  simple,  broad,  those  at  root  roundish  or  heart-shaped, 
those  on  stem  becoming  narrower  until  they  are  lance-shaped. 
All  somewhat  toothed.     6  to  18  inches  high.     April  to  June. 

Our  earliest  and  prettiest  bitter  cress,  with  quite  large 
flowers  in  terminal  clusters,  much  like  the  candytuft  of  our 
gardens.     Wet,  low  grounds. 

C7.  hirsuia. — This  species  is  hairy,  small,  with  leaves  clustered 
at  the  root  and  growing  on  the  stem,  either  cut  or  entire.  It 
may  be  a  delicate  plant,  with  leaves  almost  like  ferns,  and  fine, 
soft  clusters  of  flowers,  or  it  may  grow  2  feet  tall,  with  coarser, 
larger  foliage.  It  must  have  wet  soil.  I  have  seen  it  most  beau- 
tiful in  the  hills,  on  wet  rocks,  where  perpetual  springs  trickling 
down  make  an  environment  which  the  little  cress  loves. 

Cuckoo  Flower 

C.  pratensis  will  scarcely  be  found  away  from  I  lie  wet  meadows, 
and  even  there  it  is  rare.     It  is  a  handsome  plant,  with  white  or 

80 


WHITE    GROUP 

pink  blossoms  on  stems  from  a  short  rootstock.  Leaves,  divided 
into  7  to  r3  leaflets,  the  lower  leaflets  stalked,  upper  sessile.     May. 

New  Jersey  southward.  (See  p.  260  under  Pink  Group.) 
Hairy  Rock  Cress 

Arabis  hirsuta. —  Family,  Mustard.  Color,  white  or  greenish. 
Flowers  similar  to  others  of  this  Family.  Pod,  long,  slender,  up- 
right, 2-valved  by  a  thin  partition.  Stem,  roughish,  ereet,  simple 
(unbranched) ,  1  to  2  feet  high.  Leaves,  long,  narrow  or  oblong, 
partly  clasping  the  stem  by  somewhat  arrow  or  heart-shaped 
bases.     May  and  June. 

Wet  places  in  the  Middle  States. 

A*  laevigata  has  root-leaves  occasionally  lyre-shaped,  stem- 
leaves  similar  to  those  above.  A  smooth  plant,  taller  than  the 
last. 

Sickle  Pod 

A.  canadensis  has  sessile  stem-leaves,  acute  at  apex  and  base, 
the  lower  ones  toothed.  Pods,  rough  and  hairy,  flat,  curved, 
on  hairy  stalks. 

Tower  Mustard 

A,  glabra  is  the  tallest  species,  2  to  4  feet,  with  yellowish-white 
petals,  oblong  or  lance-shaped  stem-leaves,  pods  3  inches  long, 
very  narrow.     Around  rocks. 

A.  lyrata  differs  in  having  much  cut  and  lyre-shaped  root- 
leaves,  with  stem-leaves  entire  or  sometimes  toothed.  Petals, 
long.      Sepals,  yellowish  green. 

These  all  bear  rather  small  white  blossoms  in  terminal, 
flattish  racemes,  found  in  rocky  woods. 

Spider-flower 

Clebme  spinbsa.  —  Family,  Caper.  Color,  white  or  crimson. 
Calyx,  4-cleft.  Corolla,  of  4  petals  on  long  claws.  Stamens,  f>, 
equal  in  length,  with  very  long,  thread-like  filaments.  Pistil,  a 
very  long  stalk,  at  the  end  of  which  the  seed-vessel  is  borne.  Pod, 
long,  many-seeded.  Leaves,  long-petioled,  much  cut,  the  leaflets 
5  to  7,  finely  serrate,  lance-shaped. 

A  showy  flower  found  in  many  gardens,  also  here  and 
there  escaped  from  cultivation. 

Round-leaved  Sundew 

Drosera  rotundifblia.  — Family,  Sundew.  Petals,  sepals,  sta- 
mens, 5,  or  sometimes  6.     Styles,  3  to  5,  so  deeply  divided  as  to 

Si 


round-leaved  sundew  (Drosera  rotundifolia) 

(See  page  81) 


WHITE    GROUP 

seem  twice  the  number.     Leaves,  clustered  at  the  root,  round  or 
oblong,   on  long  stems,  glandular,   hairy.     June  to  August. 

Flowers  are  borne  on  prolonged  leafless  stems,  on  one  side. 
They  open  only  in  sunshine,  and  must  be  pressed  for  the 
herbarium  as  soon  as  gathered.  The  curious  leaves  resemble 
in  shape  a  long-handled  frying-pan.  They  are  covered  with 
reddish  hairs  tipped  with  purple  glands. 

Our  pretty,  bejeweled  bog-herb  is  carnivorous.  It  craves 
animal  food,  and  employs  wily  means  for  obtaining  it.  An 
insect  alighting  upon  the  open  leaves  instantly  arouses  the 
glands  to  activity,  as  food  in  the  stomach  excites  the  gastric 
juices.  Red  tentacles  close  upon  and  hold  fast  the  prisoner, 
pouring  the  contents  of  the  glands  upon  it,  and  the  process 
of  digestion  and  absorption  begins  at  once.  Only  very  small 
insects  can  thus  be  entrapped,  because  of  the  smallness  of 
the  leaves. 

A  cranberry  marsh  near  my  summer  cottage  on  Long 
Island  is  almost  carpeted  with  this  sundew,  so  as  to  give 
it  a  reddish  hue.  The  young  leaves  are  rolled  up,  like  ferns, 
from  apex  to  base.  (See  illustration,  p.  82.) 
Long-leaved  Sundew 
D.  longifblia.. — This  differs  from  the  last,  mainly  in  the  shape  of 
its  leaves,  which  are  spatulate,  long,  rather  than  round.  Also  the 
glandular  hairs  are  not  found  on  the  leaf-stalks.  It  is  rarer  than 
the  last,  low,  3  to  8  inches  high.     June  to  August. 

In  bogs,  or  even  in  water.  I  have  found  it  only  in  wet 
woods  in  New  Jersey. 

Stonecrop.  Orpine 
Sedum  ternktum. —  (From  sedeo,  to  sit,  these  plants  often  grow- 
ing flat  upon  rocks  and  walls).  Family,  Orpine.  Sepals  and  nar- 
row petals,  4  or  5.  Stamens,  twice  as  many.  Pistils,  5,  forming 
in  fruit  a  5 -celled  capsule,  angled,  beaked,  opening  by  the  falling 
off  of  the  beaks.  Stems,  4  to  5  inches  high,  spreading,  flattish. 
Flowers,  in  one-sided,  at  first  coiled,  leafy,  3-spiked  cymes. 
Leaves,  thick,  succulent,  the  lower  in  whorls  of  3,  wedge-shaped, 
broader  at  apex,  the  upper  scattered,  oblong. 

Not  uncommon,  from  Connecticut  to  Georgia  and  west- 
ward. 

Early  Saxifrage 
Saxifraga.   %'rginiensis.— "Family,    Saxifrage.     Calyx,    5-parted. 
Petals,  5.     Stamens,  10.     Pistil,  1.     Styles,  2.     Fruit,  a  purplish 

83 


%? 


early  saxifrage   (Saxifraga  virginiensis) 
(Sec  page  83) 


WHITE    GROUP 

capsule.  One  of  our  delicate  early  Sowers,  growing  in  clefts  of 
rocks.  Leaves,  all  at  the  root,  round  and  broad  at  apex,  narrowed 
into  a  broad  petiole,  somewhat  toothed.  Scapes  with  a  few  leafy 
bracts  above.      Early  spring  till  June. 

Flowers  cymosely  clustered  upon  the  ends  of  hairy  scapes, 
several  from  the  same  root,  6  or  8  inches  high.  As  the  stem 
elongates,  the  flower-clusters  hang  more  loosely.  Mr.  Gibson 
savs  that  he  has  seen  this  flower,  which  he  calls  the  ruck- 
flower,  blooming  in  March.      (See  illustration,  p.  84.) 

False  Miterwort.     Foam  Flower 

Tiarella  cordifblia.—  (Tiara,  a  turban,  from  shape  of  pod.)  Fam- 
ily, Saxifrage.  Calyx,  5-parted.  Petals,  5,  on  claws,  long,  narrow. 
Stamens,  10,  long,  conspicuous,  giving  the  raceme  of  flowers  a 
feathery,  soft  appearance.  Styles,  2.  Reaves,  mostly  from  a  root- 
stock,  heart-shaped,  with  well-defined  lobes  and  teeth,  softly 
downy  beneath.      April  and  May. 

The  stem  of  the  pretty  false  miterwort  is  a  rootstock,  from 
which  the  broad,  open  leaves  and  flower-stems,  leafless,  or 
sometimes  with  a  leaf  or  two,  grow  a  foot  high  or  less.  Range 
from  New  England  southward  along  the  mountains,  and  as 
far  west  as  Minnesota.      Hills  and  rocky  woods,  in  rich  soil. 

Miterwort.     Bishop's  Cap 

Mitetta  diphylla  ("a  cap,"  from  the  shape  of  the  pod). — Fam- 
ily, Saxifrage.  Calyx,  5-cleft.  Petals,  5,  much  cut  into  slender 
divisions.  Stamens,  10.  Syles,  2,  short.  Capsule,  2-beaked.  Flow- 
ers, in  slender,  graceful  racemes,  6  to  8  inches  long,  on  rather  low 
and  small,  hairy  stems.  Leaves,  of  2  kinds;  those  on  the  root- 
stocks  or  runners,  on  slender  petioles,  heart-shaped,  3  to  5-lobed, 
toothed;  those  on  the  flower-stem,  a  pair,  opposite,  sessile,  with 
stipules  between.     May. 

Rich,  moist  woods,  from  New  England  to  North  Carolina 
and  far  westward. 

Grass  of  Parnassus 

Parnassia  carolinikna. —  Family,  Saxifrage.  Sepals,  5,  some- 
what united.  Petals,  5,  white,  large,  veined  with  green  or  yellow. 
Five  good  stamens.  At  the  base  of  each  petal  is  a  cluster  of  bodies 
which  will  puzzle  many  students.  They  are  sterile  filaments  of 
defective  stamens,  3  in  each  cluster.  There  are  4  stigmas,  with- 
out styles,  over  the  4-valved  capsule.  Leaves,  1  on  the  flower- 
stem,   near   the  base,    clasping;   others   from   the  root,   roundish, 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

somewli.it    heart-shaped,  with   thick   petioles.     July   to   Septem- 
ber. 

Wry  pretty,  conspicuous  flowers,  which  it  is  a  pleasure  to 
find.  Scapes  i  to  2  feet  high.  Flower  1  to  2  inches  broad. 
New  England  to  Florida  and  westward.  In  swamps  or  wet 
grounds. 

Goat's  Beard 

Aruncus  Sylvester. — Family,  Rose.  Sepals  and  petals,  5,  the 
latter  small,  white.  Stamens  and  pistils  in  different  flowers  which 
arc  sessile,  in  open  panicles  on  long,  slender,  spike-like  branches. 
Leaves,  thrice-pinnate.  Leaflets,  thin,  long,  sharply  toothed,  6 
to  14  in  number.      June. 

Tall  plants,  3  to  7  feet.  Perennial  herbs.  Rich  soil,  in 
moist  woods. 

Bowman's  Root.     Indian  Physic 

Gillenia  trifoliata. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  pale  pink  or  white. 
Calyx,  a  long,  narrow  tube  with  5  erect  teeth.  Corolla,  of  5  un- 
equal, slender  petals  springing  from  within  the  calyx  tube. 
Stamens,  many.  Pistils,  5,  making  5  pods,  each  2  to  4-seeded. 
Flowers,  in  loose  panicles.  Leaves  of  3  thin,  pointed,  toothed 
leaflets,  serrate,  or  deeply  cut,  ovate  to  oblong,  sessile,  with 
stipules.     Spring. 

Perennial  herbs  found  in  deep,  cool,  moist  woods,  New 
York  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Wild  Strawberry 

Fra.ga.ria.  <virginikna.  —  Family,  Rose.  Calyx,  5-cleft  with  a 
narrow  bract  between  each  2  divisions.  Petals,  5,  roundish. 
Leaves,  from  the  root,  on  long,  hairy  petioles,  with  3  serrate  leaf- 
lets.    Runners  grow  from  the  rhizome  (subterranean  stem). 

The  fruit  of  the  strawberry  is  an  enlarged  and  juicy  re- 
ceptacle, with  the  achenes  buried  in  depressions  on  the  out- 
side. 

Duchesnea  indica  is  a  yellow-flowered  strawberry.  It  has  es- 
caped from  cultivation,  and  has  a  tasteless  fruit ;  found  southward. 

The  wild  strawberry  is  a  pleasant  find  in  one's  spring 
walks.  The  blossoms  are  delicate,  the  leaves  pretty.  The 
scarlet,  fragrant  fruit,  even  if  small,  peering  from  among  grass 
and  leaves,  has  an  aroma,  a  delicious  wild  flavor  that  the 
large,  juicy,  cultivated  berry  cannot  afford. 

Sometimes    in    the    New    York    groceries    tiny    cornucopias 

86 


WHITE    GROUP 

made  of  leaves  and  filled  with  New  Jersey  hulled  wild  straw- 
berries are  offered  for  sale,  and  find  eager  buyers  at  large 
prices.      In  fields,  delighting  to  hide  in  tall  grass. 

White  Avens 

Geum  canadense. — Family,  Rose.  Calyx,  5-divided,  with  bract- 
lets  between  the  divisions.  Petals,  5.  Stamens,  many.  Achenes, 
numerous.  The  styles  of  the  pistils  jointed,  the  upper  pari 
hairy.  The  receptacle  upon  which  the  achenes  are  clustered  i. 
densely  hairy.  Leaves  on  the  stem,  toothed  or  3-divided  or  lobed. 
Root-leaves  variously  divided  into  3  to  5  leaflets,  sometimes  with 
one  large,  round  leaflet  and  several  smaller  ones  below.  May  to 
August. 

In  open  woods. 

G.  <virginianum  is  a  stouter  and  very  hairy  species.  It  has 
small  petals,  shorter  than  the  calyx.  Flowers,  on  stout  peduncles 
on  which  the  conspicuous  hairs  turn  backward.  Leaves,  variously 
divided,  the  lower  parted  to  the  midrib,  pinnate,  the  upper  lobed. 
Summer. 

In  moist  woods  and  low  grounds,  common. 

Creeping  Dalibarda 

Dalibarda  repens.  —  Family,  Rose.  The  flowers  of  Dalibarda 
are  of  2  sorts.  The  more  evident  have  white  petals,  and  are  gen- 
erally sterile,  on  long  peduncles.  Of  these  the  calyx  is  deeply  5 
to  6-parted,  3  of  the  divisions  large,  toothed.  Petals,  5,  open, 
spreading.  Below,  numerous  cleistogamous,  apetalous  flowers  on 
short,  curving  peduncles  may  be  found,  fertile,  with  sepals  closing 
over  the  fruit.  Leaves,  in  tufts,  from  the  creeping  stem  or  root- 
stock,  on  long  petioles,  broadly  toothed,  rounded  or  heart-shaped. 
2  to  5  inches  high.     June  to  August. 

This  pretty  little  flower  is  not  obtrusive,  and  when  found 
might  be  mistaken  for  a  stemless  violet,  except  for  the  numer- 
ous stamens  which  are  a  feature  of  the  Rose  Family.  On 
hills  and  in  rocky  woods,  New  Jersey  northward. 

Canadian  Burnet 

Sanguisorba  canadensis. — Family,  Rose.  Petals,  none.  Sepals, 
4,  whitish.  Leaves,  pinnate,  of  several  oblong,  deeply  serrate  leaf- 
lets, notched  at  base,  rounded  at  apex.     August  and  September. 

The  color  and  beauty  of  the  flower  lies  in  the  numerous 
feathery  stamens  which  hang  their  anthers  upon  long,  weak, 
white  filaments. 

87 


Canadian   burnet   (Sanguisorba  canadensis) 
(Sec  page  87  ) 


WHITE   GROUP 

'  The  pistils,  i  to  3,  help  the  soft  appearance  of  the  flower- 
spike  by  tufted,  plumy  stigmas  capping  long  styles.  The 
flowers,  each  one  small,  are  crowded  together,  much  like  a 
cat- tail  in  size  and  shape.  The  plant  grows  tall,  2  to  6  feet, 
with  large  leaves,  bearing  stipules  also  serrate,  joined  to  the 
stem. 

A  very  common  and  showy  plant,  near  the  coast,  in  marshy 
ground.  It  grows  with  the  beach  golden-rod,  among  sterile 
fronds  of  the  royal  fern,  tangled  with  beach  pea  stems,  its 
wavy,  white  spikes  towering  above  them  all.  (Sec  illus- 
tration, p.  88.) 

White  Clover 

Trifdlium  ripens. — Family,  Pulse.  The  common  white  clover 
is  too  well  known  to  need  much  description.  It  has  the  papilion- 
aceous corolla  (see  p.  8),  a  5-cleft  calyx,  with  bristly  teeth,  much 
shorter  than  the  corolla.  The  corolla  turns  brown,  remaining 
after  the  flower  has  withered.  Stems  slender,  creeping.  Leaflets 
notched  or  heart-shaped.  The  stipules  which  are  often  prominent 
in  this  Family  are  small,  like  scales. 

Found  everywhere  in  fields  throughout  the  summer.  It 
is  sweet-scented.  Honey  made  from  white  clover  is  de- 
licious. 

White  Melilot 

Melilotus  alba.  —  Family,  Pulse.  The  standard  of  the  white 
corolla  is  longer  than  the  other  petals.  The  flowers  grow  in 
elongated,  spike-like  racemes.  Leaflets,  narrow  to  oblong,  finely 
serrate. 

A  tall  species,  fragrant  when  dried,  like  the  scent  of  new- 
mown  hay.  At  night  2  of  the  leaflets  fold  together.  The 
other,  says  Mr.  Gibson,  "is  left  out  in  the  cold." 

A  roadside  plant,  sometimes  a  weed,  but  one  that  likes 
rich  soil. 

Hairy  Vetch  or  Tare 

Vicia  hirsuta. — Family,  Pulse.  Corolla,  sometimes  white,  bu1 
more  often  a  pale  blue.      (Sec  p.  317.) 

Common  Wood  Sorrel 
Oxalis  Acetosella  ("sour,"  referring  to  the  acid  juice  of  the 
stem  and  leaves). — Family,  Geranium.  Color,  white,  with  crim- 
son or  purplish  veinings.  Parts  of  the  open,  spreading  flower  in 
fives.  Stamens,  ro.  Petals  often  notched.  Styles,  5,  separate. 
Flowers,  single,  one  inch  across,  very  pretty  with  their  dark  vein- 

89 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

ings,  the  petals  thrown  back,  stamens  and  styles  much  in  evi- 
dence. They  terminate  delicate,  leafless  scapes,  springing  with 
the  leaves  from  a  creeping  rootstock.  Leaves,  3-divided,  notched, 
closing  or  "sleeping"  at  night  by  folding  backward.  May  to 
July. 

The  whole  plant  lies  upon  the  ground  in  the  deep  forest 
in  little  bunches  or  clusters.  New  England  and  Middle 
States,  and  in  mountains  of  North  Carolina.  The  plant 
produces  cleistogamous  blossoms,  small,  pollinated  in  the 
bud.  This  little  plant  lays  claim  to  the  following  names: 
cuckoo's  meat,  sour  trefoil,  shamrock,  alleluia.  From  it 
druggists  obtain  "salts  of  lemon." 

Seneca  Snakeroot.     Mountain  Flax 

Polygata  Senega.. — Family,  Milkwort.  Color,  white,  sometimes 
tinged  with  green.  Flowers  in  a  close,  single,  elongated  spike  on 
a  leafy  stem  from  a  knotty  rootstock.  Leaves,  sessile,  lance- 
shaped,  somewhat  broad  in  the  middle,  rough-margined.  Below 
on  the  stem  they  are  reduced  almost  to  scales.     May  to  July. 

Rather  tall,  reaching  1  foot  in  height.  Rocky  and  sandy 
soil,  mostly  in  woods,  in  northern  New  England  States. 

Whorled  Milkwort 

P.  <verticilla.ta. — This  species  may  be  known  by  its  long,  narrow 
leaves  whorled  on  the  stem.  Color,  a  greenish  white  or  purplish. 
Basal  leaves  wanting,  but  a  few  are  scattered  singly  on  the  stem. 
Flowers  in  short  spikes,  larger  below,  leading  to  a  point.  A  bract 
stands  behind  each  separate  flower,  and  falls  with  the  flower. 
6  to  12  inches  high.     June  to  November. 

Common  in  fields  in  dry  or  moist  soil  all  along  the  Atlantic 
coast. 

Snow-on-the-Mountain 

Euphorbia,  marginata.  —  Family,  Spurge.  The  flowers  of  this 
plant  (for  description  of  Family,  see  p.  9)  are  collected  in  umbel- 
like groups  of,  usually,  threes,  surrounded  by  involucres  of  con- 
spicuous, white-margined  leaves.  Stem,  somewhat  hairy,  stout, 
tall,  reaching  3  feet  in  height.  Leaves,  below  the  involucre,  broad, 
ovate,  smooth,  with  smooth  margins.     Umbels  often  forked. 

This  species  is  showy,  not  because  of  the  flowers,  but  the 
white-bordered  leaves.  Often  cultivated,  but  found  wild 
in  dry  soil,  waste  places,  westward  and  southward.  (Sec 
illustration,  p.  91.) 

90 


snow-on-the-mountain  {Euphorbia  mdrginata) 

(See  page  oo) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    T<  I    WILD    FLOWERS 

Spotted  Spurge 

E.  maculata. —  Since  this  plant  has  a  reddish  tinge  in  its  leaves, 
stems,  and  in  the  glands  of  the  flowers,  it  will  be  described  under 
red  flowers.      (See  p.  265.) 

Flowering  Spurge 

E.  corollata. —  A  tall  species,  2  to  3  feet  high,  with  leaves  gen- 
erally whorled  around  the  upper  part  of  the  stem.  The  upper 
leaves  are  margined  with  white,  giving  the  plant  a  showy  ap- 
pearance. Flowers  grouped  in  umbels,  surrounded  by  white  in- 
volucres. Umbels  are  many  times  forked,  each  fork  again  forked. 
No  stipules.      July  to  August. 

Erect  but  delicate  and  slender-looking.  Sandy,  dry  soil 
along  the  coast  southward  to  Florida,  westward  to  Texas. 
Ascends  to  4,000  feet  in  North  Carolina. 

Common  Mallow.     Cheeses 

MaUva  rotundifblia. — Family,  Mallow.  Color,  white,  with  pink 
or  lavender  veins,  sometimes  with  a  bluish  tinge.  Calyx  of  5 
sepals,  under  which  are  3  narrow  bracts.  Petals,  5,  twice  the 
length  of  the  calyx,  notched.  Stamens  united  by  their  filaments 
into  a  tube.  Styles,  several,  with  their  stigmatic  surfaces  on 
the  inner  sides.  In  fruit  they  make  a  "cheese,"  about  15 
carpels  being  united  into  a  ring,  each  carpel  1  -seeded.  Leaves, 
on  long  petioles,  round,  heart-shaped  at  base,  with  broadly 
toothed  margins.     May  to  November. 

This  homely  weed,  found  in  all  our  dooryards,  will  repay 
an  examination  under  the  magnifying-glass.  Stem,  4  to  12 
inches  long.  The  althaea  and  hollyhock  are  members  of 
this  Family. 

Curled  Mallow 

M.  crispa. — In  this  species  the  leaves  are  roundish,  wrinkled, 
and  crisped.  Flowers,  whitish,  small,  sessile,  crowded  in  the  leaf- 
axils.     Leaves  on  quite  long  petioles. 

An  erect,  smooth  annual,  flowering  all  summer  in  waste 
places;  ranked  as  a  weed. 

Musk  Mallow 
M.  moschata. — Color,  white  or  a  pale  pink  (see  p.  265).  For 
this  genus  the  flowers  are  large,  on  short  peduncles,  crowded  on 
the  branches  or  clustered  at  the  ends  of  the  stems.  Petals,  much 
longer  than  the  calyx  lobes,  inversely  heart-shaped,  notched  on 
the  tip.    Leaves,  much  divided  into  about   5  segments,  these  again 

92 


sweet   white  violet   (Viola  blanda) 
(Sec  page  96) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

cut  into  long  and  narrow  lobes.     Leaves  at  the  root  roundish,  3 
or  4  inches  broad.     Summer. 

Plant  faintly  scented  of  musk. 

White  Hibiscus 

Hibiscus  oculiroseus.  —  Family,  Mallow.  Color,  white,  with  a 
deep  crimson  center.  Underneath  the  calyx  are  many  pointed 
green  bracts.  Calyx,  5-cleft.  Corolla,  of  5  separate  large  petals. 
Stamens,  collected  on  a  column,  which  is  divided  at  the  summit 
into  5  styles.  Leaves,  acute  at  apex,  broad  toward  the  base,  ovate, 
palmately  veined.  The  fruit  becomes  a  large,  5-valved  capsule. 
July  to  September. 

This  is  similar  to  the  swamp  rose  mallow  so  familiar  to 
those  who  travel  over  the  Hackensack  marshes,  near  Jersey 
City.  The  white  species  grows  also  in  marshes,  especially  salt 
marshes  near  the  coast.     Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

Green  Violet 

Hybanthus  concolor.  —  Family,  Violet.  Color,  greenish  white. 
Petals,  nearly  equal  in  length,  the  lower  one  being  larger  than  the 
others,  swollen  at  base,  notched  at  apex.  Stamens  united  into  a 
sheath  which  envelops  the  ovary.  A  broad  gland  is  seen  on  the 
lower  side.  Leaves,  entire,  acute  at  both  ends.  Stems,  very  leafy, 
1  to  2  feet  high,  with  1  to  3  flowers  in  the  axils  on  short,  nodding 
peduncles.      Pod  much  larger  than  the  flower.     April  to  June. 

This  homely  species,  although  of  the  Violet  Family,  scarce- 
ly deserves  to  be  numbered  among  those  favorite  flowers. 
Rich,  moist  woods,  shaded  ravines  from  New  York  westward 
and  southward. 

Sweet  White  Violet 

Viola  pattens. — Family,  Violet.  Sepals  and  petals,  5,  the  latter 
differing  in  size,  the  lowest  spurred  at  the  base.  The  side  petals 
usually  are  hairy,  and  all  are  streaked  with  purplish  lines.  Leaves 
obtuse  at  apex,  heart-shaped  at  base,  with  petioles.  Stem  and 
leaves  sometimes  dotted  with  red  spots.     April  and  May. 

Along  brooks  and  springs  from  New  England  to  the 
mountains  of  South  Carolina  and  westward. 

Lance-leaved  Violet 

V.  lanceolkta. — Near  by,  perhaps,  grows  the  lance-leaved  violet, 
also  white  and  sweet-scented.  This  species  produces  runners 
which  root  at  the  joints,  and  bear  small,  apetalous  blossoms  (cleis- 
togamous),  which  pollinate  themselves  beneath  the  closed  calyx: 

94 


wild  SARSAPARILLA   (Aralia  nudicaulis) 
(Sec  page  08) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    To    WILD    FLOWERS 

Ordinary  flowers  white,  larger  than  the  last,  the  lower  and  side 
petals  sometimes  streaked  with  purple  or  crimson.  Leaves,  all 
from  the  root,  on  very  long  petioles,  with  lance-shaped  blades, 
finely  serrate.     April  to  June. 

Erect,  2  to  6  inches  high,  in  wet  meadows,  bogs,  and  on 
banks  of  streams.     Maine  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

V.  blanda. — Upper  petals  long  and  narrow,  twisted  backward. 
Leaves,  broad,  roundish,  heart-shaped  at  base,  on  long  petioles, 
their  midribs  often  tinted  with  red.  Slender,  leafy  runners  are 
produced  in  summer,  after  the  blossoming  season  is  over. 

This  is  one  of  our  smallest  violets,  and,  on  account  of  its 
faint,  sweet  scent,  one  of  our  dearest.  We  all  know  the 
mossy,  damp  place  in  which  it  can  be  found  in  April  and 
May,  and  one  of  our  earliest  spring  walks  is  directed  thither. 
(See  illustration,  p.  93.) 

Primrose-leaved  Violet 

V.  primuUfblia.— X  white  species  in  which  the  petals  or  some 
of  them  are  purple-veined.  Leaves  differ  from  the  two  last,  being 
long-petioled,  broader  than  V.  lanceolata,  narrower  than  V.  blanda, 
and  not  heart-shaped.  Leaf  -  blades  ovate  or  oval,  running 
gradually  down  to  the  petioles.  Found  in  drier  soil,  but  often 
preferring  moist  ground.  Leafy  runners  also  grow  from  this 
species.     April  to  June. 

The  above  four  species  belong  to  the  stemless  violets,  in 
which  leaves  and  flower-scape  spring  from  long,  slender  root- 
stocks,     New  York  to  Florida. 

Pale  or  Striped  Violet 

V.  striata.. — Color,  white  or  cream,  with  purple  lines  upon  the 
petals.  The  stems  are  leafy,  heart-shaped  at  base,  on  long  petioles, 
the  lower  having  longer  petioles  than  blades,  all  acute  at  apex. 
Prominent  stipules  much  cut  and  toothed,  or  fringed.  6  to  18 
inches  high.      April  to  June. 

An  early  and  late  bloomer,  found  in  low  woods  and  moist 
meadows  from  New  England  to  Georgia. 

Loosestrife 

Lythrum  lineare. — Family,  Loosestrife.  The  flowers  of  Lythrum 
are  dimorphous,  that  is,  have  stamens  and  pistils  of  different  lengths, 
so  that  self-pollination  is  prevented.  This  is  a  large  and  bushy 
plant,  with  slender  s! ems,  small  leaves,  and  single  flowers  in  the 
upper  axils.  Petals,  5  to  7.  Calyx,  tubular,  5  l<»  7 -toothed,  with 
little  processes  between  the  teeth.     Stamens  joined  to  the  calyx, 

96 


DWARF    GINSENG,    OR    GROUND-NUT    {PmitlX    tHfolium) 

i  See  page  100) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

as  many  or  twice  as  many  as  petals.     Leaves,  linear,  opposite, 
sessile,  one-ribbed.     Summer. 

A  curious,  pale  green  plant,  2  to  4  feet  high,  growing  on 
the  borders  of  salt  marshes  in  New  Jersey,  south  to  Florida. 

Willow  Herb 

Epilbbium  densum.  —  Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color,  usual- 
ly pink,  but  occasionally  white.      (See  Pink  Flowers,  p.  273.) 

Enchanter's  Nightshade 

Circaea  lutetiana. — Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color,  white  or 
cream.  Low  perennials,  1  to  2  feet  high,  with  small  flowers  in 
terminal  and  side  racemes,  each  flower  composed  of  2  petals,  a 
2-parted,  hairy  calyx,  2  stamens,  and  a  2-celled  ovary.  Fruit 
covered  with  bristly,  hooked  hairs.  Leaves,  opposite,  sharply 
pointed  at  apex,  rounded  at  base,  long-petioled,  distantly  toothed, 
3  or  4  inches  long,  growing  smaller  toward  the  top,  where  they 
become  mere  bracts  under  each  flower.  Stem,  swollen  at  the 
joints.     June  to  August. 

In  all  our  woods,  especially  those  which  are  open  and  dry. 

Wild  Sarsaparilla 

Arklia  nudicaulis* — Family,  Ginseng.  The  root  of  this  plant, 
although  not  the  officinal  root  which  the  soda-fountain  clerk  uses 
(officinal  meaning  that  which  has  commercial  value),  is  sometimes 
used  to  flavor  summer  drinks.  A  single,  long-stalked  leaf  rises  to 
the  height  of  a  foot,  divided  into  oblong,  pointed  leaflets,  5  leaflets 
on  each  of  3  divisions.  To  the  unbotanical  eye  there  are  3  com- 
pound leaves,  each  5-divided,  springing  from  the  stem.  Lower 
down  the  flowers  grow  on  separate  scapes  in  umbels,  2  to  7 
umbels  springing  from  the  same  center.     May  and  June. 

In  the  autumn  these  large,  handsome  leaves,  with  their 
dark  purple  attendant  bunches  of  fruit,  are  very  conspicuous. 
The  roots  are  several  feet  long,  and  spread  horizontally. 
(See  illustration,  p.  95.) 

Spikenard 

A.  racembsa  has  very  long,  large  leaves  (I  have  found  them  2 
or  3  feet  across),  decompound,  with  ovate,  heart-shaped,  pointed 
leaflets,  somewhat  downy  and  toothed.  Flowers  in  drooping 
umbels  or  racemes,  stamens  and  pistils  in  different  blossoms. 
Roots  large,  spicy,  fragrant.     July  and  August. 

Ginseng 

Panax  quinquefblium.  —  Family,  Ginseng.  Color  of  flowers 
white,  of  fruit  red.     Flowers,  staminate  and  pistillate  on  different 

98 


water  pennywort    (/ I ydrocotyle  tuiibcllata) 

(See  page  100) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

plants.     Leaves,  3  in  a  whorl,  on  a  low  stem,  palmately  divided 
into  5  long-stalked  leaflets.     July  and  August. 

The  members  of  the  Ginseng  Family,  with  their  pretty 
leaves  and  delicate  flowers,  are  among  the  choicest  finds  of 
the  woods.  In  their  botanical  features  they  are  not  unlike 
the  parsleys,  having  a  short,  toothed  calyx,  5  petals,  5 
stamens,  and  from  2  to  5  styles.  Compound  leaves  and 
small  white  (or  greenish)  flowers  in  umbels  complete  the 
likeness.  But  they  differ  from  the  rank  and  often  baneful 
parsleys  in  one  important  respect.  None  of  the  ginsengs  is 
poisonous.  Their  roots  are  aromatic,  of  pleasant  flavor. 
The  ginseng  has  a  stem  t  foot  high,  bearing  above  the 
leaves  a  simple  umbel  of  white  flowers,  and  later  a  cluster  of 
bright  red,  berry-like  drupes. 

Dwarf  Ginseng,  or  Ground-nut 

P.  irifblium  is  often  found  growing  near  in  the  same  woods.  The 
ground-nut  refers  to  its  root,  a  small  tuber,  sweet  and  edible,  sunk 
deep  into  the  ground,  only  unearthed  after  careful,  patient  digging. 

It  is  a  lovely  herb,  with  little  balls  of  blossoms  just  over- 
topping  a  whorl  of  3  leaves,  each  divided  into  3  to  5  sessile 
leaflets,  all  on  the  same  leaf-stalk.  It  is  a  spring  flower, 
coming  with  the  hepatica  in  April  and  May,  perfecting  later 
a  yellowish  fruit.      (See  illustration,  p.  97.) 

Water  Pennywort 

Hydrocotyle  umhellkt a.. -—Family,  Parsley.  Flowers,  small,  um- 
belled,  pedicelled,  white  or  greenish,  from  rootstocks  creeping  in 
the  mud.  The  leaves  are  tiny  imitations  of  lily-pads.  After 
flowering,  the  top  of  the  water  where  it  grows  is  covered  with  the 
specks  of  white  blossoms.  Leaves  orbicular,  crenate,  small,  with 
the  long  petiole  fastened  to  the  middle  underneath.  June  and 
July.      (See  illustration,  p.  99.) 

H.  <verticillkta. — This  species  has  few  flowers  in  umbels,  in  in- 
terrupted spikes.     Leaves  like  the  last.     June  to  September. 

Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward. 

H.  americana.  —  Flowers,  very  small.  Leaves,  kidney-shaped. 
Sometimes  called  water  ivy.  It  has  small,  thread-like  stems 
which  creep  over  wet  moss  and  cling  to  soli  mud.  The  pretty, 
shiny,  roundish   or   kidney  -  shaped   leaves,   crcnalcly   lobed,    are 

100 


water   PENNYWORT   (/ 7 ydrocot vie  amrricana) 
i Sec  pace  too) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILT)    FLOWERS 

very  common  in  marshy  places.     The  tiny  flowers  are  clustered 
in  the  axils.     They  are  nearly  stemless.     Summer. 

The  outward  resemblance  to  other  genera  of  the  Parsley 
Family  is  remote.  All  these  species  are  sometimes  aquatics. 
The  leaves  have  scale-like  stipules.     (See  illustration,  p.  101 .) 

Sanicle.     Black  Snakeroot 

Sanicula  marylandica. — Family,  Parsley.  Color,  greenish  white. 
Small  flowers  in  irregular  or  compound  umbels,  a  few  staminate, 
without  pistils.  Fruit,  roundish,  composed  of  several  prickly  car- 
pels. Leaves,  palmately,  5  to  7-parted,  the  divisions  toothed, 
pointed.     Root-leaves  long-stalked.     May  to  July. 

A  difficult  plant  to  identify,  having  but  little  external  ap- 
pearance of  a  parsley,  the  small  flowers  and  prickly  fruit 
making  it  puzzling.    Eastern  States  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Sweet  Cicely 
Osmorhiza  Claytbnu —  Family,  Parsley.  Flowers  in  umbels, 
with  a  few  involucral  bracts  underneath.  Leaves,  thrice-com- 
pound. Leaflets  oval,  toothed,  softly  hairy,  tapering,  2  or  3 
inches  long.  Plant  graceful  and  delicate  in  its  form  and  foliage. 
The  root  is  pleasantly  anise-scented.     May  and  June. 

Open  woods  in  the  Northern  States,  and  in  the  mountains 
farther  south. 

0,  longistylis  has  coarser  stems  than  the  last,  with  longer 
leaflets.  Style,  long.  Fruit,  a  beaked,  roughish  capsule.  Rich 
woods. 

Poison  Hemlock 

Cbnium  ma.cula.tum, — Family,  Parsley.  Flowers,  white,  in  um- 
bels. Leaves,  large,  twice-divided.  Leaflets  pale  green,  lance- 
shaped,  cut.  Stem  spotted  and  smooth.  A  tall  branching  herb 
whose  leaves  give  forth  an  unpleasant  odor  when  crushed.  Both 
involucre  and  involucels  present  of  3  to  5  bracts. 

Northern  States,  waste  places.     July. 

This  plant  is  the  famous  hemlock  which  Socrates  was  con- 
demned to  drink.  It  was  the  means  often  employed  in 
Athens  for  putting  criminals  to  death.  It  should  be  iden- 
tified to  be  avoided,  for  its  juices  are  as  deadly  to-day  as 
when  the  great  philosopher  calmly  drank  of  the  fatal  cup. 

Mock  Bishop's-weed 

Ptilimnium  capillkceum.— Family,  Parsley.  Flowers  in  com- 
pound umbels.   A  plant  smooth-stemmed  and  branching,  usually 


water  parsnip   (Stum  cicutcicjoliiim) 
(See  page  104) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

low,  i  Eoo1  high,  but  at  times  several  feet  tall.  Leaves,  compound, 
finely  cul  into  thread-like  divisions.  Flower-bracts  cut.  June 
to  October. 

Its  line,  white  flowers  and  hair-like  leaves  are  common 
among  the  brackish  marshes,  wherever  the  water  keeps  their 
roots  perpetually  moist. 

Water  Hemlock  or  Spotted  Cowbane 

Cicuta  maculata Family,  Parsley.      This  may  be  known  by  its 

purple  -  streaked  stem.  It  is  a  large,  coarse  plant,  with  white 
flowers  in  large  umbels.  It  grows  from  2  to  6  feet  high.  The 
lower  leaves  have  long  stems.  They  are  twice  or  thrice  pinnate, 
coarsely  serrate,  heavily  veined.     August. 

The  root  is  a  deadly  poison,  perhaps  making  it  the  most 
dangerous  of  our  native  plants.  It  has  been  eaten  for  sweet 
cicely  with  fatal  consequences. 

C.  bulbifera. — A  smaller  and  slenderer  species,  1  to  3  feet  high, 
with  leaflets  less  deeply  toothed,  and  small  bulblets  growing^in 
clusters  upon  its  upper  axils.  Leaves,  2  to  3 -pinnate.  July  to 
September. 

Common  in  swamps  and  wet  grounds  as  far  south  as 
Maryland. 

Caraway 

Carum  Carvu — Family,  Parsley.  Flowers  in  compound,  ter- 
minal umbels.  Leaves,  compound,  some  of  the  leaflets  cut  into 
thread-like  divisions.      May  to  July. 

Kscaped  from  old-fashioned  gardens,  where  it  has  long 
been  a  favorite  plant  on  account  of  the  pleasant  taste  of  the 
seeds,  which  are  still  used  in  cookies  and  buns. 

The  fusiform  root  is  said  to  be  edible. 

Berula 

Berula  erecta — Family,  Parsley.  The  umbels  of  flowers  have 
rather  large  involucres  of  narrow  bracts  underneath.  Leaves, 
I 'innate,  the  5  to  9  pairs  of  leaflets  sharply  or  obtusely  toothed  or 
lobed,  3  inches  long  or  less.  An  erect  stem,  rather  coarse,  6  to 
30  inches  high.     July  and  August. 

In  swamps  and  along  banks  of  streams  from  Maine  to 
Michigan  and  southward. 

Water  Parsnip 

Stum  cicutaefblium.— Family,  Parsley.  Flowers,  as  in  all  of  this 
family,  in  umbels,      Leaves.  \ .innate.      Leaflets,  3  to  6  pairs,  serrate, 


o  1 


shin   leaf   {Pyrola  clliptica) 
(Sec  phrc  t  10) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

sharply  pointed;  often  a  terminal  leaflet.  A  variety,  S.  Car sonii, 
has  submerged  leaves,  aquatic,  with  i  to  3  pairs  of  leaflets,  much' 
cut,  thin,  floating  or  immersed.  Stem,  tall,  2  to  6  feet  high, 
grooved,  angled.     July  to  October. 

A  poisonous  species.  Common  in  wet  places.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  103.) 

Scotch  Lovage.     Sea  Parsley 

Ligustkum  scothicum.—  Family,  Parsley.  Flowers,  in  large, 
compound  umbels,  on  pedicels  about  half  an  inch  long.  Leaves, 
fleshy,  3-divided,  shining,  the  leaf-segments  toothed,  shining! 
Stems,  mostly  simple,  1  to  3  feet  tall.     July  and  August. 

Salt  marshes  along  the  New  England  coast. 

Fool's  Parsley 

Aethusa.  Cynapium.— Family,  Parsley.  No  involucre,  but  in- 
volucels  of  long,  narrow  leaves  under  the  umbellets  of  white 
flowers.  Leaves,  twice  or  thrice  compound,  the  divisions  cleft 
again  and  again.  Taste,  acrid  and  burning.  12  to  30  inches 
high.     July  and  August. 

A  poisonous  and  ill-smelling  annual,  naturalized  from  Eu- 
rope. 

Cow  Parsnip 
Heracleum  lanatum.— Family,  Parsley.  Color,  white  or  some- 
times purplish.  Of  the  umbel,  the  outer  flowers  are  larger  than 
the  others,  with  inversely  heart-shaped  petals.  Both  involucre 
and  involucels  of  green  bracts  present.  Leaves,  thrice  compound. 
Leaflets,  broad,  toothed. 

A  coarse,  rough  plant,  sometimes  8  feet  high,  with  a  rank 
smell  about  its  foliage.  In  swamps  or  wet  grounds  over 
nearly  the  whole  country. 

Cowbane 

Oxypotis  rigidior.— Family,  Parsley.  This  species  has  tuber- 
bearing  roots  which  are  poisonous.  Its  umbels  of  white  flowers 
appear  in  August.  It  is  from  2  to  5  feet  tall,  with  pinnate  leaves, 
once  cut.  Leaflets,  3  to  9.  An  involucre  of  fine  bracts  lies  under 
the  umbel,  and  smaller  bracts  underlie  the  secondary  umbellets. 

A  coarse  plant  of  swamps  and  low  grounds.  Probably  its 
parts  are  all  more  or  less  poisonous.  Found  in  all  the 
Eastern  States. 

Hemlock  Parsley 

ConioseVinum  chinense.  —  Family,  Parsley.  No  involucre,  but 
fine,  long,  thin  bracts  form  an  involucel  under  the  umbellets. 

106 


Indian  pipe,     corpse  plant  {Monotropa  uniflord) 
(See  page  no) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Leaves,  2  to  3-pinnately  compound,  thin,  the  leaflets  cut  to   the 
midrib.     Late  blooming,  from  August  to  October. 

Tall,  slender,  smooth  perennials  found  in  swamps  from  New 
England  westward,  and  to  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina. 

Great  Angelica 

Angelica  atropurpurea.— Family,  Parsley.  Color,  greenish  white. 
Leaves,  large,  twice  or  thrice  ternately  divided.  Leaflets  very 
sharply  serrate.  Easily  known  by  its  stout,  dark  purple  stem. 
4  to  6  feet  tall.     June  and  July. 

Although  coarse  and  large,  this  plant  possesses  a  certain 
virile  attractiveness.  River-banks,  brooks,  in  the  Northern 
States. 

Wild  Carrot.     Queen's  Lace 

Daucus  Carbta. — Family,  Parsley.  Color,  white,  except  that 
the  central  flower  of  each  umbel  is  defective  and  purplish.  After 
flowering  the  umbel  becomes  concave  or  nest-shaped.  Leaves, 
2  to  3-pinnately  compound.      1  to  3  feet  high.      Summer. 

Too  well  known  to  need  description.  Imported  from 
Europe,  it  has  become  a  common  and  most  troublesome 
weed  in  and  about  cultivated  grounds.  In  New  Jersey 
whole  fields  are  white  with  the  wild  carrot.  Were  it  less 
common,  the  soft,  fine  appearance  of  the  umbels  of  flowers, 
together  with  its  prettily  cut  leaf,  might  win  favor.  As  it 
is,  the  flower  painter  finds  it  a  pleasant  thing  to  transfer  to 
canvas,  but  the  farmer  does  not  like  it. 

One-flowered  Pyrola 

Moneses  uniflora  (name  means  "single  delight").  —  Family, 
Heath.  Color,  white  or  pink  (see  p.  276).  Sepals  and  petals,  5, 
the  latter  roundish,  wide  open,  h  inch  across.  Filaments,  awl- 
shaped,  with  anthers  2-horned.  Stigma,  5-lobed,  quite  large. 
Leaves,  clustered  at  the  root,  round,  thin,  veiny,  pointed,  toothed, 
less  than  1  inch  long.  The  scape  has  a  scaly  bract  or  two  upon 
it,  with  a  single,  nodding  flower  rising  3  or  4  inches  from  the 
underground  stem.     June  and  July. 

Many  dear  little  plants  of  the  Heath  Family  may  be  looked 
for  in  our  deep,  shady  woods,  but  none  is  more  appealing 
in  its  small,  dainty  life  than  the  one-flowered  pyrola.  To 
find  it  is  a  delight.  But  let  us  not  remove  it  from  its  home. 
There  is  too  much  danger  of  these  interesting  plants  disap- 
pearing from  their  haunts.  In  deep,  cool  woods  in  the 
Northern  States  and  in  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

10S 


8  Wifffl    * 


3  :<^m 


m 


KIP^" 


V:  f 


mmym 

!«4 


TRAILING    ARBUTUS     (Eptgaea    fCpCUS) 

■  ■    page  no) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Shin   Leaf 

Pyrola  elliptica.  ("A  pear"  from  fancied  resemblance  of  the 
foliage  to  that  of  a  pear  tree.) — Family,  Heath.  Color,  whitish. 
Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla  of  5  ovate  petals.  Stamens,  10,  the 
anthers  inverted  and  opening  by  chinks.  Pistil,  1,  with  a  large 
curved  style,  bearing  at  its  apex  a  5-divided  stigma.  Flowers 
collected  in  a  spike  on  a  scape,  with  1  or  2  scaly  bracts.  Leaves, 
in  clusters  at  the  root,  ovate,  dull,  evergreen,  thin,  with  margined 
petioles.     June  and  July. 

One  of  our  pretty  lovers  of  the  deep  woods,  with  a  rosette 
of  evergreen  leaves  at  the  root  surrounding  a  tall  scape 
finished  with  a  raceme  of  bright  flowers.  (See  illustration, 
P-    105.) 

P.  americana. — Calyx,  lobes  long  and  narrow.  Petals,  thick, 
white,  although  some  varieties  of  this  plant  may  have  pink  or 
flesh-colored  tints.  Flowers,  in  long  racemes,  and  all  have  a  pro- 
truding, upward  curving  style.  Scapes  taller  than  the  preced- 
ing, and  leaves  thicker,  roundish,  shining,  on  petioles.  Sometimes 
called  wintergreen.     June  to  August. 

Open,  light  woods,  in  rather  sandy  soil.  Eastern  and 
Northern  States  as  far  south  as  Georgia. 

Indian  Pipe.     Corpse  Plant 

Monotropa  uniflbra.  ("Turned  to  one  side.") — Family,  Heath. 
Color,  a  leaden  white.  Leaves,  none.  Calyx,  of  2  to  4,  and 
corolla,  of  4  or  5,  bract  -  like  scales.  Stamens,  8  or  10,  with 
anthers  joined  horizontally  to  the  filaments,  opening  by  2 
chinks.  Pistil,  1,  with  a  thick  style,  surmounted  by  a  fleshy 
4  to  5-rayed  stigma.  Fruit,  a  capsule  filled  with  very  many 
minute  seeds.  Stems,  waxy  white,  with  bracts  in  place  of  leaves, 
all  devoid  of  chlorophyll  (green)  grains,  3  to  8  inches  high,  in 
clusters  from  a  bunch  of  fibrous  roots  which  are  parasitic  on  the 
roots  of  other  plants,  or  saprophytic,  growing  on  decaying  vege- 
table matter.  The  flowers  at  first  hang  down;  in  fruit,  stand 
erect.     June  to  August. 

No  odor,  and  a  rather  unpleasant  plant,  clammy  to  the 
touch,  turning  black  after  being  plucked.  It  has  been  called 
"Life  in  death."     (See  illustration,  p.  107.) 

Trailing  Arbutus.     Ground  Laurel.     Mayflower 

Epigaea  repens.  ("Upon  the  earth.") — Family,  Heath.  Color, 
white  or  pink.  Sepals,  5,  pointed.  Corolla,  tubular,  with  spread- 
ing lobes,  hairy  inside,  purest  white  to  deepest  pink.     Flowers,  in 


CREEPING  WINTERGREEN.   CHECKERBERRY 

{Gail ill  her  ia  procumbent) 
(Sec  page  ii-') 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

clusters  in  leaf-axils,  hidden  under  the  broad  protecting  leaves. 
Stamens,  10.  Style,  slender,  its  apex  making  a  ring  around  the 
5  stigmatic  lobes.  Leaves,  round,  oval,  or  heart-shaped,  thick, 
evergreen,  on  petioles.  Whole  plant  trailing,  prostrate,  with 
woody  stems  covered  with  rusty  hairs.     April  and  May. 

In  open,  especially  pine  woods. 

A  universal  favorite  and  a  candidate  for  honorable  men- 
tion as  our  national  flower.  We  love  it  because  it  comes  so 
early  and  because  of  its  delicious  fragrance.  It  delights  in 
pine  woods,  which  it  literally  carpets  in  early  spring  with 
delicate,  modest  bloom.  You  may  dig  the  snow  away  from 
shaded  corners  and  find  it  bright  and  sweet,  looking  at  you 
with  almost  startled  eyes.  In  places  it  has  been  plucked  to 
its  total  extinction.  One  trembles  to  see  such  flowers  ex- 
posed in  great  bunches  on  our  city's  streets  for  sale.  Vandal 
armies  of  Italian  and  Irish  boys  tramp  through  our  woods 
and  pull  them  up  by  the  roots  for  a  few  cents'  gain.  Nor 
are  they  the  only  ones  who  threaten  the  extermination  of 
some  of  our  beautiful  native  plants.  City  girls  and  even 
botanical  classes  on  their  excursions  gather  more  flowers 
than  they  need,  not  being  careful  to  leave  the  root  behind. 
Will  not  those  who  love  flowers  do  what  they  can  for  their 
protection  ? 

The  Mayflower  is  associated,  whether  correctly  or  not, 
with  Plymouth  Rock  and  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims.  The 
legend,  as  beautifully  given  by  Whittier,  is  that,  after  their 
first  dreadful  winter,  this  was  the  first  flower  to  greet  the 
Pilgrims,  and  that  they  took  courage  when  they  saw  so 
bright  a  beauty  blooming  so  bravely  in  poor  soil  under 
wintry  snows. 

Mrs.  Sara  J.  Hale,  in  her  book,  Floras  Interpreter,  makes 
this  astonishing  statement:  "The  trailing  arbutus  is  a  sort 
of  strawberry- vine  found  in  New  England  in  March,  the 
earliest  of  all  spring  flowers."      (See  illustration,  p.  109.) 

Creeping  Wintergreen.     Checkerberry 

GaultherU  procumbens — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  Calyx, 
5-parted.  Corolla,  bell-shaped,  swollen  in  the  middle,  somewhat 
contracted  at  the  top,  with  5  points.  Stamens,  10,  each  with  2 
round  anther  cells,  opening  by  a  hole  at  the  top.  Fruit,  not 
strictly  a  berry,  made  of  the  calyx  adhering  to  the  ovary  and 
grown  fleshy.     Flowers,  1 ,  or  a  few,  hanging  from  the  axils  of  the 


wash 


i 


# 


# 


Pyxie.      flowering   moss.      (P 'yx idanthera   Ivirhuliitn) 
(See  page  114) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

leaves.  Plant  stem  creeping  just  under  or  above  the  ground. 
Leaves,  alternate,  oval,  thick,  evergreen,  slightly  toothed,  petioled. 
Open  woods.     July  and  August. 

This  is  the  little,  well-known  plant  whose  new,  tender,  red 
leaves  youngsters  delight  to  chew,  and  whose  aromatic  ber- 
ries sometimes  find  their  way  to  our  grocery  stores.  Often 
late  in  the  season  the  waxen  flower-bells  and  ripening  fruit 
are  found  together.  The  essence  of  wintergreen  is  a  pleasant 
flavoring,  in  taste  resembling  birch.  Local  names  are  tea- 
berry  and  boxberry.      (See  illustration,  p.  in.) 

Creeping  Snowberry.  Moxie  Plum.  Capillaire 
Chiogenes  hispiduta  (name  means  "snow  offspring,"  in  allusion 
to  the  white  berries). — Family,  Heath.  Calyx,  4-parted;  2  large 
bractlets  underneath.  Corolla,  deeply  4-divided.  Stamens,  8. 
Flowers,  small,  nodding  in  leaf-axils  on  short  peduncles.  Fruit, 
a  round,  white,  many-seeded  berry,  which  is  slightly  acid,  of 
pleasant  taste.  Leaves,  evergreen,  pointed,  with  margins  rolled 
back,  ovate,  less  than  £  inch  long,  covered  on  the  under  surface 
with  reddish  bristles.     Branches  slender,  also  bristly. 

The  flowers  of  this  pretty,  trailing  plant  are  small  and  shy, 
hiding  in  early  spring  in  leafy  corners  among  moss,  in  peat- 
bogs of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  in  the  cool  woods  of  the 
Adirondacks  and  Alleghanies.  In  summer  it  grows  more 
bold,  and  flashes  up  from  among  its  dark  green,  shining 
leaves  the  round,  pure  white  berries.  It  is  a  plant  fragrant 
of  birch,  belonging  with  moss,  fern,  and  streamlet,  thorough- 
ly wild. 

Pyxie.  Flowering  Moss 
Pyxidanthera.  barbulafa  ("a  small  box,"  and  "anther,"  because 
the  anthers  open  as  if  by  a  lid) . — Family,  Diapensia.  Color,  white, 
or  sometimes  a  pale  rose.  Sepals  and  stamens,  5.  Corolla,  5- 
lobed.  Flowers,  small,  sessile,  many  on  short,  leafy  branches. 
Leaves,  very  small,  narrowly  lance-shaped,  like  the  leaves  of 
moss  plants,  somewhat  hairy.  Pine  barrens  from  New  Jersey  to 
North  Carolina.     April  and  May. 

This  moss-like,  dear  little  plant  is  one  of  our  earliest 
flowers.  It  is  found  in  the  sandy  pines  of  New  Jersey,  south 
to  North  Carolina,  creeping  on  the  ground.  Flowers  sessile, 
small,  on  tiny  branches,  on  which  grow  the  needle-like  leaves. 
Plucked  and  kept  well  covered  with  water,  it  will  retain  its 
freshness  many  days.  It  is  a  great  delight  to  come  across 
the  pyxie  when  yet  flowers  are  few. 

114 


BRUOK-YVEED.       WATER    PIMPERNEL.        (ScimolllS  jlor ihliudhs) 

(Sec  page  i i o) 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Featherfoil.     Water  Violet 

Hotibnia  inflata — Family,  Primrose.  Color,  white  or  whitish. 
Calyx,  of  5  long,  narrow  divisions.  Corolla,  with  short  tube, 
spreading,  with  a  5-parted  border.  Stamens,  5.  Capsule,  5- 
valved,  with  many  seeds.  Leaves,  crowded  at  the  base  of  the 
fluster  of  flower-stalks,  very  much  cut  into  thread-like  segments. 
Flowers,  whorled  at  the  swollen  joints  of  stems  floating  or  rooting 
in  mud.     Stems,  often  2  feet  long.     May  to  August. 

An  aquatic,  found  in  pools  and  shallow  ponds,  Massa- 
chusetts to  Florida.  This  is  a  curious-looking  plant,  owing 
to  the  thick,  hollow  peduncles  which  spring  in  a  cluster  from 
the  submerged  stem,  coming  out  of  the  water  and  bearing  at 
the  joints  and  on  their  tips  whorls  of  many  small  flowers. 
The  lowest  joint  may  be  2  inches  long  and  1  inch  thick. 
They  decrease  in  size  toward  the  top.  The  leaves  under 
water  look  like  fine  ferns. 

Brook-weed.     Water  Pimpernel 

Simolus  floribundus. — Family,  Primrose.  ("Ancient  name  of 
Celtic  origin,  said  to  refer  to  curative  properties  of  this  genus 
in  diseases  of  cattle  and  swine.")  Calyx,  5-cleft.  Corolla,  tu- 
bular, 5-divided,  with  5  stamens  standing  in  the  clefts.  Leaves, 
entire,  inversely  ovate,  tapering  into  a  short  petiole.  June  to 
September. 

A  delicate,  white  flower  growing  in  racemes  on  slender, 
smooth  stems,  about  6  to  8  inches  high.  Round  pods  form 
below,  while  the  blossoms  continue  above.  Found  growing 
on  the  edge  of,  or  quite  in,  water,  throughout  the  United 
States.      (See  illustration,  p.  115.) 

Chickweed  Wintergreen.     Star  Flower 

TrientMis   americkna Family,    Primrose.     Calyx   and   corolla 

mostly  7-parted,  sometimes  6.  Leaves,  whorled  on  the  stem,  just 
below  the  flowers,  thin,  veiny,  lance-shaped,  sessile.  A  few 
scale-like  leaves  below.     May  to  July. 

A  very  delicate  flower,  on  small,  wiry  stems,  2  or  more 
blossoms  arising  from  a  whorl  of  comparatively  large  leaves. 
The  diminutive,  open  flower  contrasts  strikingly  with  the 
handsome  leaves.      (See  illustration,  p.  117.) 

The  plant  grows  by  means  of  a  slender  rootstock  about  2 
feet  long,  from  which  the  flower  stem  springs.  In  shaded 
woods,  New  England  to  Virginia  and  westward. 

116 


CHICKWEED   WINTERGREEN.       STAR   FLOWER    (THentalis  amcrirdna) 
(See  paga  n6) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Pennywort 
Obolaria  virginica Family,  Gentian.  Color,  white  or  pur- 
plish. Calyx  of  2  spreading  sepals.  Corolla,  bell-shaped,  4- 
cleft.  Stamens,  4  inserted  between  the  divisions  of  the  corolla. 
Style,  short  with  a  2 -divided  stigma.  Fruit,  a  capsule  whose  inner 
surface  is  covered  with  seeds.  Leaves,  reduced  to  scales  on  the 
stem  below,  but  leaf-like  under  the  raceme  of  flowers,  opposite, 
wedge-shaped.  Stem,  somewhat  fleshy,  simple,  or  branched,  gen- 
erally of  a  purplish  color,  3  to  6  inches  high.     April  and  May. 

A  rather  curious  plant,  with  thick,  roundish  leaves,  sessile 
flowers  terminating  the  stem,  or  about  3  in  the  axils,  found 
in  cool,  moist  woods  from  New  Jersey  southward  to  Georgia, 
in  mountains  of  Virginia  2,600  feet  high. 

Floating  Heart 

Nymphotdes  la.can.bsum* — Family,  Gentian.  Color,  white.  Calyx, 
of  5  long,  narrow  divisions.  Corolla,  with  a  short  tube  and 
spreading,  5 -parted  border,  5  small  glands  appearing  at  the 
fringed  bases  of  the  lobes.  Pedicels  long  and  slender.  Leaves, 
roundish,  heart-shaped  at  base,  thick,  on  thread-like,  very  long 
petioles.     June  to  August. 

A  perennial  aquatic,  with  roots  in  the  mud  of  shallow 
waters  everywhere  in  the  Eastern  States.  From  the  roots 
in  spring  arise  very  long  stems  bearing  a  heart-shaped  leaf, 
from  the  notch  of  which  an  umbel  of  flowers  on  short  pedicels 
comes  up,  accompanied  by  a  cluster  of  elongated  tubers  or 
thickish  roots.      The  heart-shaped  leaves  float  on  the  water. 

Whorled-leaved  Milkweed 

Asdepias    verticittata Family,      Milkweed.     Color,     greenish 

white.  Flower,  already  described  (p.  10).  Leaves,  simple, 
thread-like,  whorled,  3  to  6  together,  turned-back  margins,  2  or 
3  inches  long. 

This  is  the  most  ethereal  and  exquisite  of  the  milkweeds. 
I  first  saw  it  on  the  top  of  Federal  Hill,  Pompton,  New  Jersey. 
It  is  more  common  southward.  A  small  umbel  of  delicate 
flowers  terminates  a  stem,  generally,  unbranched.  The 
needle-like  leaves  give  it  a  delicate  appearance.  Open, 
rocky  woods,  and  westward  in  the  prairies. 

Waterleaf 

HydrophyUum    canadense Family,    Waterleaf.      Color,    nearly 

white.     Calyx,  5-cleft,  minute  teeth  between  the  lobes.     Corolla, 

118 


WHITE    GROUP 

tubular,  5-lobed.  Flowers,  short-pedicelled,  in  flat-topped  clusters 
whose  peduncles  are  shorter  than  the  petioles.  Plants  smooth- 
stemmed,  from  rootstocks  which  are  thick  and  indented  by  the 
stout  leaf-stalks;  1  foot  high.  Leaves,  large,  about  4  inches  broad, 
palmately  lobed  and  veined,  petioled,  heart-shaped  at  base,  ir- 
regularly toothed,  the  root-leaves  sometimes  with  2  or  3  small 
side-leaflets.     Summer. 

New  England,  westward,  and  to  the  mountains  of  Virginia. 

H.  cvirginianum  is  taller,  2  feet  high  or  less,  with  peduncles  longer 
than  the  petioles.  Leaves  pinnately  cut  into  5  to  7  divisions, 
sharply  toothed,  oblong  to  lance-shaped.  Flowers,  white,  or  with 
a  bluish  tinge,  appearing  through  the  summer. 

H.  macrophyUum  has  white  flowers  clustered  in  a  head  upon  a 
rough,  hairy  stem.  Leaves,  oblong,  cut  into  many  irregular  di- 
visions, all  coarsely  toothed,  the  lower  ones  8  to  14  inches  long. 
Virginia,  southward  and  westward. 

Spring  or  Early  Scorpion  Grass 

Myosotis  wirginica.  —  Family,  Borage.  Color,  white.  This  is 
the.  only  white  species  of  forget-me-not.  We  think  of  the  flower 
as  blue,  and  in  the  blue  section  the  genus  will  be  more  at  length 
described.  This  species  is  very  bristly  and  sticky.  Flowers, 
small,  in  one-sided  racemes  at  the  top  of  erect  stems,  3  to  15 
inches  high.  Leaves,  obtuse  or  oblong,  near  the  base  of  the  stem, 
quite  hairy,  almost  bristly.     April  to  July. 

Dry  and  rocky  woods  and  hills,  Maine  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

Common  Gromwell 

Lithospermam  officinale.  (Name  means  "stony  seed,"  from  the 
hard,  bony  nutlets.) — Family,  Borage.  Color,  white,  with  some- 
times a  yellowish  tinge.  Calyx  and  corolla  tubular,  with  spread- 
ing, 5-cleft  border,  crested  or  with  5  scales  in  the  throat.  Leaves, 
rough  above,  soft  beneath,  broadly  lance-shaped,  thin,  tapering  at 
apex,  distinctly  veined.  Stem,  2  to  4  feet  high,  leafy.  Flowers, 
in  leafy  racemes,  generally  single.     May  to  August. 

Perennial  herbs,  with  red  roots.  Roadsides  and  waste 
fields  from  New  York  northward  and  westward. 

Corn  Gromwell.     Pearl  Plant 
L.  arvense. — Color,  nearly  white.     The  leaves  of  this  species  arc 
long,  lance-shaped,  sessile,  or  short-petioled.     Flowers,  in  spikes. 
May  to  August. 

Dry  fields  and  waste  places,  Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward, 

119 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

False  Gromwell 

Onosmbdium    <virginianum Family,    Borage.      Color,    a    deep 

cream  or  yellowish  white.  Calyx,  tubular,  with  5  narrow  divisions 
above.  Corolla,  tubular,  with  5  long,  narrow  lobes,  bristly  on 
the  outside.  Stamens,  5,  with  somewhat  arrow-shaped,  pointed 
anthers.  Pistil,  with  a  thread-like,  projecting  style.  Fruit,  a 
t-seeded  nutlet.  Leaves,  rough,  about  2  inches  long,  narrow,  the 
lower  ones  tapering  at  base,  sessile.  Stems,  rather  slender.  Whole 
plant  covered  with  stiff,  short  hairs.  Flowers,  in  leafy  racemes, 
at  first  short  and  close,  becoming  elongated.     May  to  July. 

Maine  to  Florida  and  westward.  On  dry  banks  or  hill- 
sides. 

White  Vervain 

Verbena  uriicaefolia Family,  Vervain.     Color,  white.     Calyx, 

unevenly  5-toothed.  Corolla,  5-toothed,  the  lobes  spreading! 
Stamens,  4,  in  pairs,  the  2  upper  frequently  imperfect.  Fruit 
splitting  into  4  nutlets.  Leaves,  opposite,  petioled,  toothed,  oval, 
acute.  Flowers,  small,  in  spikes,  rather  loose,  on  stems  3  to  5 
feet  high. 

Dry  fields  and  waste  places  all  over  the  Eastern  States, 
westward  to  Texas.  Often  found  growing  with  the  blue 
vervain. 

Fog-fruit 

Lippia   la.nceola.ta. Family,     Vervain.      Color,     bluish    white. 

Calyx  and  corolla,  2-lipped,  the  upper  corolla  lip  notched,  the 
lower  and  larger  3 -divided.  Leaves,  oblong  to  ovate,  or  lance- 
shaped,  toothed  above  the  middle.  Stems,  weak,  creeping,  with 
slender  peduncles  ascending,  bearing  at  their  terminals  small, 
roundish  heads  of  small  flowers.  Stems  rooting  at  the  joints  in 
the  moist  soil  of  river-banks  or  brooks.     June  to  August. 

New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  southward  and  westward. 

Horehound 

Marrubium  <vulgare — Family,  Mint.  Color,  white.  In  the  Mint 
Family  the  5-pointed  corolla  is  2-lipped,  making  the  upper  division 
of  2  united  petals,  the  lower  of  3.  The  calyx  is  also  2-lipped.  The 
fruit  consists  of  4  small  nutlets.  This  speeies  is  an  importation 
from  Europe,  and  often  cultivated  for  its  medicinal  effects;  the 
leaves  are  rough,  round  to  ovate,  with  petioles,  toothed.  Flowers 
in  whorls,  many  together  in  the  axils.  1  to  3  feet  tall.  June  to 
August. 

Waste  fields  and  dry  soil,  Maine  to  Minnesota  southward. 


WHITE    GROUP 

Catnip 

Nepeta   Cataria Family,  Mint.      Color  of  corolla,  white,  dotted 

with  purple.  The  plant  is  covered  with  a  great  deal  of  whitish 
down.  Leaves,  heart-shaped,  coarsely  toothed,  petioled.  Per- 
ennial, 2  to  3  feet  high.  Flowers,  whorled  in  terminal  cymes  or 
spikes.     Escaped  from  gardens  where  it  used  to  be  cultivated. 

A  common  weed,  near  old  houses  in  neglected  dooryards. 
Catnip-tea  is  an  old-time  remedy  for    colds  and  fevers. 
The  leaves  are  greatly  liked  by  pussy. 

Motherwort 

Leonurus  Marrubiastrum. — Family,  Mint.  Corolla,  shorter  than 
the  sharp  calyx  teeth.  Divided  as  in  other  mints.  Flowers  in 
whorls,  in  the  axils  of  leaves  on  rough  stems,  stout,  and  much 
branched,  2  to  5  feet  high.  *  Leaves,  very  coarsely  toothed,  with 
short  petioles,  ovate,  or  the  upper  ones  lance-shaped.  June  to 
September. 

Waste  places,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  Delaware. 

Wild  Bergamot 

Monarda  fistulbsa. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  white  or  purple  (see 
Purple  Flowers,  p.  340).  Calyx-tube,  hairy  within.  Corolla,  with 
a  long  tube  (1  inch  or  more)  and  2-lipped  border,  the  upper  lip 
erect,  notched,  the  lower  3-lobed,  with  the  middle  lobe  narrow 
and  notched.  Stamens,  2,  protruding.  Leaves,  those  near  the 
flower  colored  like  the  corolla;  all  ovate,  lance-shaped,  sharply 
toothed.     July  and  August. 

A  rather  coarse  herb,  4  or  5  feet  high,  with  a  minty  fra- 
grance about  its  leaves  and  flowers.  The  flower  bracts  and 
leaves  just  under  the  flower  are  whitish  or  crimson. 

In  different  varieties  of  the  wild  bergamot  the  corolla 
varies  in  color  from  a  light  pink  to  dark  purple.  These  have 
a  wide  range  in  woods,  from  Massachusetts  and  Vermont  to 
Florida  and  westward. 

Bugle  Weed 

Lycopus  •virginicus  (a  "wolf's  foot,  from  some  fancied  likeness 
of  the  leaves"). — Family,  Mint.  Color,  white.  Corolla,  nearly 
equally  4-cleft,  bell-shaped.  Calyx,  with  4  acute,  short  teeth. 
2  good  stamens.  Leaves,  opposite,  petioled,  the  upper  sessile, 
tapering  at  both  ends,  regularly  toothed,  often  purple.  Flowers, 
very  small,  in  close  whorls  around  the  4-angled,  smooth,  stiff, 
upright  stem,  much  shorter  than  the  leaves  among  which  they 


bugle  weed   (Lycopus  virginicus) 
(See  page  121) 


WHITE    GROUP 

nestle.     Stem,  20  inches  high  or  less,  bearing  sometimes  from  its 
base  thread-like  runners  with  small  tubers.     July  to  September. 
Rich   soil,    often   in   marshes,   New   England   to   Florida. 
(See  illustration,  p.  122.) 

Water  Horehound 

L.  sessilifblius. — This  species  is  much  like  the  last,  but  may- 
be known  by  the  corolla,  which  is  twice  as  long  as  the  calyx,  and 
leaves  rather  broader  and  coarser,  sometimes  clasping  the  stem. 
Slender  runners  grow  from  the  base  of  the  stem,  which  is  8  to 
20  inches  high.     Summer. 

Found  in  the  same  locality  as  the  bugle  weed.  Near  the 
coast,  Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

L.  americknus  is  taller  than  the  last,  with  oblong  leaves  about 
2  inches  long,  considerably  and  narrowly  cut,  petioled.  This 
species  bears  no  runners,  but  has  white  flowers  in  whorls,  like  the 
last.     It  is  1  to  3  feet  high. 

Dittany 

Cunila  origanoides,  —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  white  or  purple 
(see  p.  344).  Calyx,  '5-toothed,  hairy  within.  Corolla,  2-lipped, 
the  erect  upper  lip  notched,  the  lower  3 -divided.  Stamens,  with 
2  anthers  protruding,  standing  apart.  Fruit,  4  small  nutlets. 
Leaves,  opposite  (1  inch  long  or  less),  smooth,  dotted,  toothed, 
with  rounded  or  heart-shaped  bases,  sessile.  August  and  Sep- 
tember. 

A  much-branched,  stiff  little  plant,  often  with  reddish 
stems,  and  flowers  in  terminal  clusters.  It  has  a  sweet, 
minty  odor,  which  it  retains  when  dried.  It  is  not  hard  to 
find  among  the  hills  from  New  Jersey  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Field  Mint.     Corn  Mint 

Mentha,  arvensis — Family,  Mint.  Color,  variable,  white,  pink, 
or  violet  (see  p.  289).  The  genus  Mentha  may  be  called  the  true 
mints.  They  are  alL  sweet-scented  with  the  mint  odor.  They 
are  perennial  herbs.  Flowers  of  this  species  in  whorls  in  the  leaf- 
axils,  none  terminal.  Calyx,  softly  hairy.  Leaves,  lance-shaped 
above,  becoming  broader  toward  the  base,  all  finely  serrate  and 
covered  with  fine  hairs.    The  odor  suggests  pennyroyal.    Summer. 

Common  in  rich,  moist  soil,  widespread. 

'  Common  Nightshade 

Solatium  nigrum* — Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  white.  Corolla, 
wheel-shaped,  5-parted.     Calyx,  5-parted.     Flowers,  clustered  in 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

umbels,  on  nodding  peduncles,  3  to  10  growing  from  the  side  of 
the  stem.  Berries  black,  round,  smooth.  Leaves,  petioled, 
ovate,  wavy,  thin.  An  ill-looking  weed  found  in  shady,  damp 
spots,  especially  in  cultivated  soil. 

The  deadly  nightshade  is  an  English  plant  with  bright-red 
berries,  not  found  here.  The  tomato,  egg-plant,  and  cap- 
sicum, also  the  Irish  potato,  belong  to  this  Family,  which 
contains,  besides  these  useful  and  edible  plants,  many  that 
are  very  poisonous.  The  berry  of  the  potato  is  said  to  be 
poisonous. 

Jimson  or  Jamestown  Weed.     Thorn  Apple 

Datura.  Stramonium — Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  white.  Calyx, 
5-toothed,  the  upper  part  falling  away  in  fruit.  Corolla,  3  inches 
long,  funnel-form,  the  border  5-toothed.  Stamens,  5.  Fruit,  a 
prickly  2-celled  capsule.  Flowers  on  peduncles  growing  in  the 
forks  of  the  branching  stems.     Leaves,  large,  ovate,  toothed. 

Too  well  known  to  need  much  description.  Large,  coarse, 
rank  plants,  often  found  in  barnyards  and  around  old  door- 
yards.  They  are  narcotic,  poisonous,  and  ill  -  smelling. 
Flowers  showy,  resembling  a  morning  glory,  on  short 
peduncles,  growing  where  the  stem  branches  or  forks. 

Moth  Mullein 

Verbascum    Blattaria Family,  Figwort.     Color,  yellow,  or  in 

one  variety  (albifldrum)  white,  with  a  purplish  stain  in  the  center 
(see  p.  204).  Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla,  5-lobed,  open  in  ma- 
turity, its  lobes  reflexed.  Stamens,  5,  their  filaments  fringed  with 
purple  wool.  Leaves,  those  below  petioled,  deeply  cut,  oblong; 
those  above  clasping,  oblong,  or  lyre-shaped.     Summer. 

Dry  fields,  roadsides,  waste  places,  over  the  Eastern  States. 
This  plant  has  not  the  extreme  woolliness  of,  and  there  is 
nothing  in  its  appearance  that  should  indicate  its  near  rela- 
tion to,  the  common  mullein.  It  is  low  and  smooth,  with 
flowers  almost  nodding  and  loosely  spiked,  making  some  pre- 
tensions to  prettiness. 

White  Mullein 

V.  Lychriitis  is  a  rarer  species,  with  white  or  yellow  flowers  in  a 
tall  panicle  (see  p.  204).  Leaves,  greenish  above,  woolly  be- 
neath, ovate,  not  clasping,  pointed. 

The  whole  plant  is  covered  with  a  soft,  whitish  woolliness, 

124 


WHITE    GROUP 

Snapdragon 

Antirrhinum  OronUum.— Family,  Figworl .  Color,  purple  or  white 
(see  p.  346).  Calyx  and  corolla  tubular,  5-parted,  the  corolla 
with  a  plaited  border.  Stamens,  4.  Leaves,  long  and  narrow. 
Flowers  in  axillary  racemes. 

The  corolla  is  a  type  of  many  members  of  this  Family, 
2 -lipped,  the  lips  meeting  and  closing  the  throat  of  the  tube. 
By  pressing  the  thumb  and  finger  on  the  sides  of  the  flower 
it  may  be  made  to  open  and  shut  like  an  animal's  mouth. 
Dry  fields,  dumping-grounds.     Not  common. 

A,  mkjus. — Color,  white,  blue,  or  purple  (see  p.  346).  Often 
escaped  from  gardens.     The  parent  of  many  cultivated  varieties. 

Balmony.     Snakehead.     Turtlehead 

Cheldne  glabra., — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  white,  often  with  a 
pink  or  purplish  tinge.  Calyx,  of  5  sepals.  The  mouth  of  the 
inflated,  tubular  corolla  is  a  little  open,  the  upper  lip  being 
swollen  as  if  humpbacked.  Looking  into  the  throat,  it  is  seen 
to  be  woolly-bearded,  having  4  stamens  which  have  woolly 
filaments  and  tiny  heart-shaped  anthers.  A  fifth  but  sterile 
stamen  is  present.  Leaves,  opposite,  sessile,  or  with  short 
petioles,  broad  below,  narrower  above,  sharply  serrate.  In  wet 
places,  as  edges  of  swamps  or  banks  of  ponds  or  streams.  July 
to  September. 

This  plant  grows  often  very  high,  usually  2  to  3  feet.  Stem 
and  leaves  smooth.  Flowers  occupy  the  ends  of  branches, 
crowded  together,  the  lower  in  blossom  while  the  upper  are 
in  bud.  It  takes  a  lively  imagination  to  invest  the  innocent 
corolla  with  reptile-like  features.      (See  illustration,  p.  126.) 

Mudwort 

Limosella  aquatica,  var.  tenuifolia. — Family,  Figwort.  Color, 
white  or  a  light  crimson  (see  p.  291).  Calyx  and  corolla  bell- 
shaped,  5-parted,  with  4  stamens  inserted  on  the  corolla.  Leaves, 
like  pine-needles,  fleshy,  very  slight  distinction  between  blade  and 
petiole.     Flowers,  single,  on  leafless  stems. 

Plants  rooted  in  mud,  very  small,  spreading  by  stolons 
which  also  root  at  intervals  in  the  mud.  Muddy  banks  of 
rivers  and  streams,  the  leaves  clustered  at  the  root,  around 
the  single-flowered  peduncles.  Near  the  coast  as  far  south 
as  New  Jersey. 

125 


;  w 


BALMONY.       SNAKEHEAD.       TURTLEHEAD.        (ChcloHC   glabra) 
(See  page  125) 


WHITE    GROUP 

Hedge  Hyssop 
Grattola  <virginiana Family,  Figwort.  Color,  white  and  yel- 
low (see  p.  206).  Two-lipped  corolla,  with  a  tube  yellowish  within, 
and  lighter,  nearly  white,  lobes.  The  lower  lip  3 -cleft,  the  upper 
2.  Calyx,  separated  into  5  narrow,  unequal,  long  divisions. 
Underneath  are  leaf-like,  small  bracts.  Leaves,  opposite,  sessile, 
long,  narrow,  acute  at  both  ends. 

Low,  light  green,  softly  clammy  plants  in  wet,  sandy  soil. 
The  stems  often  lie  upon  the  ground,  branched,  with  flowers 
of  the  snapdragon  type  prominent,  on  long  peduncles. 

Culver's-root.  Culver's  Physic 
Veronica  <virginica — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  white  or  whitish. 
Calyx,  4  or  5-parted.  Corolla,  tubular,  with  wheel-shaped,  short 
border,  4  or  5-cleft.  Stamens,  2,  one  at  each  side  of  the  upper 
lobes  of  the  corolla,  standing  out  from  the  flower.  Flowers,  in 
terminal,  spiked  panicles,  stiff,  upright,  3  to  6  feet  high.  Leaves, 
4  to  7,  whorled  around  the  stem,  lance-shaped,  with  short  petioles, 
finely  toothed.  Rich,  moist  woods  or  fields  from  Massachusetts 
southward.     July  and  August. 

It  is  not  apparent  why  this  tall,  noticeable  plant  of  the 
woods  should  be  connected  with  "Culver."  Who  was 
Culver?  Perhaps  a  quack  doctor,  who  found  secret  healing 
virtues  in  the  root  of  this  plant.  I  find  no  recognition  of 
his  services  elsewhere  in  botanical  or  medical  works,  and  no 
other  floral  monument  to  his  memory. 

Neckweed.     Purslane  Speedwell 

V.  peregrin*.  —  Color,  whitish.  Wheel  -  shaped  corolla  shorter 
than  the  calyx,  open,  spreading.  Flowers,  short  -  pedicelled  or 
sessile  in  axils  of  the  upper  small  leaves.  Fruit,  a  nearly  round 
capsule,  notched  at  apex.  Leaves,  the  lower  pair  nearly  1  inch 
long,  broader  than  those  higher  up  on  the  stem,  which  are  alter- 
nate, small,  lance-shaped. 

An  annual,  a  weed  in  moist  ground  in  all  the  Eastern 
States. 

Eyebright 

Euphrasia  Oakesii  (name  means  "cheerfulness"). —  Family, 
Figwort.  Color,  white,  with  a  yellow  center,  the  "  eye,"  and  purplish 
veins  (see  Variegated  Flowers,  p.  374).  Calyx,  tubular,  bell-shape, 
4-cleft.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  with  2  broad,  spreading 
lobes  under  which  the  4  stamens  arise.  Lower  lip  3 -cleft;  all  the 
lobes  notched.  Leaves,  those  among  the  flowers  bristlv-toothol ; 
9  127 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

those  on  the  stem,  lower  down,  opposite,  cut,  or  deeply  toothed, 
ovate,  or  lance-shaped. 

A  very  small  plant  of  local  growth,  with  at  least  its  musi- 
cal name  to  recommend  it.  Flowers  in  short  spikes.  Along 
the  coast  of  Maine,  among  the  White  Mountains  in  stony, 
sterile  ground. 

Cleavers.     Goose  Grass 

Galium  Aparine.  —  Family,  Madder.  Color,  white.  Calyx, 
tubular,  without  teeth.  Corolla,  4  -  lobed,  wheel  -  shaped.  Sta- 
mens, 4.  Styles,  2.  Leaves,  commonly  6  or  8  in  a  whorl,  linear 
or  inversely  lance-shaped,  quite  long,  very  rough  and  bristly  on 
the  edges  and  midrib.  Flowers,  1  to  3,  in  cymes,  in  the  upper 
axils  of  the  leaves.  Stems,  rough,  weak,  climbing  by  means  of 
hooked  bristles  over  other  plants,  2  to  5  feet  long,  hairy  at  the 
joints.  Along  the  coast,  in  rich  soil  or  shady  grounds,  from 
Maine  to  Florida.     May  to  September. 

The  galiums  are  interesting  little  plants,  in  that,  although 
weak,  they  are  aggressive  and  flourish  better  than  some 
others  by  nature  more  independent  and  erect. 

Northern  Bedstraw 

G.  borekte. — Flowers,  in  panicles,  the  stem  growing  erect,  1  to 
3  feet  high.  Leaves,  in  whorls  of  fours,  linear,  3-nerved,  smooth 
along  the  margins.     May  to  August. 

Rocky  woods  or  moist  banks  and  shores. 

Marsh  Bedstraw 

G.  palustre. — Flowers,  small,  in  terminal  and  lateral  cymes,  on 
spreading  pedicels.  Leaves,  in  pairs  or  fours,  linear,  with  con- 
siderable distance  between  the  joints.  Stem,  smooth,  erect,  a 
foot  or  more  high.  Corolla,  for  this  genus,  large,  white.  June  and 
July. 

In  low,  wet  meadows  along  roadsides  where  it  is  springy, 
from  Connecticut  northward  and  westward. 

Sweet-scented  Bedstraw 

G.   triflbrum. — Color,  greenish  or  greenish  white  (see  p.  36). 

Small  Bedstraw 

G.  trifidam. — Corolla-lobes  and  ^stamens,  3  or  more.  Styles  2. 
Flowers,  solitary  or,  when  they  terminate  the  branches,  in  threes. 
Variable.     July  to  September. 

The  fruit,  as  in  all  the  galiums,  is  a  pair  of  dry  seed- 
vessels,  joined  at  first,  separating  when  ripe  into  distinct 


WHITE    GROUP 

carpels.  The  square  stems  are  weak,  5  to  20  inches  high. 
They  are  covered  with  bristles  turning  downward,  and  by  this 
means  the  plant  attaches  itself  to  and  lifts  itself  over  other  veg- 
etation, often  forming  dense  tangles.  A  persistent  grower,  and 
a  plant  that  may  be  met  with  in  almost  any  swampy  ground. 

Rough  Bedstraw 

G.  aspr  ilium. — This  species  has  a  stronger  stem  than  the  last, 
with  many  hooked  bristles  by  which  it  climbs  over  bushes.  The 
leaves,  whorled,  4  to  6  upon  stem  and  branches,  are  oval  or  lance- 
shaped.  They  often  terminate  in  a  prickle.  Flower-stems  forked 
2  or  3  times. 

Banks  of  streams  in  all  the  Eastern  States. 

Button-weed 

Dibdia.  teres  (name  means  "a  thoroughfare,"  from  the  habit  of 
many  species  to  appear  by  the  wayside) . — Family,  Madder.  Color, 
white.  Flower  parts  in  fours.  An  insignificant  herb,  generally 
rough  or  hairy-stemmed,  with  small,  whitish  flowers  about  \  inch 
long,  with  funnel-form  corollas.  Flowers,  1  to  3,  in  the  leaf-axils. 
Stem,  softly  hairy,  3  to  9  inches  long.  Leaves,  opposite,  long, 
lance-shaped,  stemless,  stiff,  rigid,  with  membranaceous,  bristly 
stipules  connecting  the  leaves.     Summer. 

Sandy  soil  along  waysides  from  New  Jersey  to  Florida 
and  Texas. 

Partridge  Berry 

MitchelU  repens  (name  refers  to  Dr.  John  Mitchell,  a  botanist 
of  the  time  of  Linnaeus) . — Family,  Madder.  Color,  white,  some- 
times with  a  pink  tinge.  Calyx,  4-toothed.  Corolla,  tubular, 
4-lobed.  Stamens,  4.  Stigmas,  4,  long,  on  a  single  style.  The 
flowers  are  close  together,  in  pairs,  their  calyx-tubes  later  coher- 
ing and  making  a  double  fruit,  crowned  with  8  teeth,  filled  with 
hard  nutlets.  The  pink-tipped  flowers  appear  early  in  summer, 
and  the  scarlet  fruit  lasts  into  the  snowy  season.  Leaves,  small, 
roundish,  shining,  evergreen,  on  short  petioles.     June  and  July. 

A  favorite  plant  growing  only  in  woods,  especially  pine, 
matted,  with  trailing  stems  on  the  ground,  loving  best  to 
nestle  at  the  foot  of  trees.  The  flower  is  delicately  fragrant, 
and  the  fruit  makes  food  for  the  birds  which  spend  their 
winter  with  us.     Eastern  States  and  southward. 

Bluets.     Innocence 

Houstonia.  ca.eru.lea.. — Family,  Madder.  Color,  a  bluish  white, 
with  a  pale-yellow  center.     Calyx,  very  short,  4-lobed,  forming 

129 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

a  tiny  cup  to  hold  the  tubular  corolla,  with  its  4  spreading  lobes 
barely  §  inch  across.  Stamens,  4.  Style,  1.  Leaves,  small,  blunt[ 
wide  at  apex,  narrowing  to  base,  opposite,  entire.  April  to  July.' 
Delicate  flowers  of  spring,  2  to  5  inches  high,  growing  in 
bunches  from  slender  creeping  stems  or  rootstocks.  The 
pale  blue  corolla,  with  its  bright  eye,  dots  many  meadows 
with  tiny  stars.  Two  pretty,  common  names  are  Quaker- 
lady,  Quaker-bonnets.  Moist  or  dry  fields  and  meadows 
along  the  coast  and  westward.  Some  pastures  are  seen 
thickly  covered  with  these  quaint  little  flowers,  giving  them 
a  pale,  bluish-white  tint. 

Clustered  Bluets 

Oldenlandia  uniflbra — Family,  Madder.  Color,  white.  Corol- 
la, wheel  -  shaped,  with  4  lobes  shorter  than  the  calyx.  Calyx, 
4-lobed.  Stamens,  4.  Style,  often  none,  but  2  sessile  stigmas. 
Parts  of  the  flower  sometimes  in  fives.  Leaves,  opposite,  oblong 
or  ovate,  sessile,  with  stipules  united  to  the  petioles. 

Annual,  with  smooth,  branched  stem  less  than  a  foot 
high,  with  many  flowers  clustered  in  the  leaf-axils.  Near 
the  coast  in  wet  ground  from  New  York  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

Twin-flower 

Linnaea  borealis  (named  from  Linnaeus).  —  Family,  Honey- 
suckle. Color,  whitish,  tinged  with  deep  crimson  or  purple  (see 
Pink  Flowers,  p.  292). 

Thoroughwort 

Eupatbriam  leucolepis.—  Family,  Composite.  Color,  white. 
Flowers,  in  heads,  about  5,  making  a  grayish  corymb,  with  bracts. 
Pappus,  hair-like  bristles  standing  in  a  single  row.  Leaves,  oppo- 
site, sessile,  rough,  long,  narrow,  finely  serrate.     Late  summer. 

Common  in  sandy  bogs  and  marshes  from  Long  Island 
southward.     A  rough,  coarse,  uninteresting  plant. 

Hyssop-leaved  Thoroughwort 

E.  hyssopifblium Color,  dirty  white.     Leaves,  narrow,  long, 

crowded  and  bunched  at  intervals  along  the  stem,  almost  whorled 
in  appearance.     August  and  September. 

A  common,  plebeian  plant  with  the  typical  flowers  in 
close,  flat  heads.  Growing  in  sandy,  sterile  soil  on  Long 
Island  southward  to  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  Height,  1  to 
2  feet.  The  flower  has  neither  beauty  of  color  nor  fra- 
grance.     (See  illustration,  p.   131.) 

130 


hyssop-leaved  thoroughwort  (Eupatorium  hyssopijoliiun) 

(See  page  130) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Boneset 

E.  per fol iatum* — Color,  white.  Leaves,  opposite,  clasping,  often 
joined  at  base  so  as  to  make  the  stem  appear  to  pass  through  them, 
serrate,  much  wrinkled.      Summer. 

A  well-known  plant  formerly  much  used  as  tea  for  medici- 
nal purposes  by  home  practitioners.  Flowers  in  large  cor- 
ymbs.     2  to  4  feet  high.     Low  grounds,  widely  diffused. 

E.  <verbenaefbUum. — Leaves,  large,  veiny,  ovate  or  lance-shaped, 
cut  or  coarsely  toothed  near  the  base.  The  lower  often  in  threes, 
upper  alternate. 

Near  the  coast  in  low  or  swampy  grounds. 
Upland  Boneset 

E.  sessilifblium.  —  About  5  feet  high.  A  smooth,  soft  plant, 
with  soft,  downy  compound  corymbs  of  flowers.  Leaves,  opposite, 
or  3  in  a  whorl,  tapering  from  a  rounded,  broad  base  to  a  point; 
sessile,  toothed,  very  veiny,  3  to  6  inches  long.  Late  summer  and 
fall. 

Among  the  mountains  and  in  thickets  from  Massachusetts 
to  Illinois  and  southward. 

White  Snakeroot 

E.  urticaefblium.  —  Color,  white.  Leaves,  opposite,  long- 
petioled,  with  sharp  teeth,  pointed,  broad  near  the  base,  thin. 
Flowers,  in  compound  corymbs.     Late  summer. 

A  handsome  plant,  2  to  3  feet  high,  spreading,  branching. 
Its  pure  white  flowers  and  long-petioled,  thin  leaves  mass 
finely  in  the  woods.  Rich,  moist  woods,  not  far  from  the 
coast. 

E.  aromattcum  is  similar  to  the  last,  with  leaves  rather  thick,  on 
short  petioles,  flowers  in  large  corymbs. 

In  rich  woods  near  the  coast,  Massachusetts  and  Con- 
necticut to  Florida. 

Kuhnia 

Kixhnia  eupatoriotdes. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  cream  white. 
Leaves,  alternate,  entire,  or  sometimes  toothed,  lance-shaped  to 
very  narrow  and  long.     September. 

A  plant  with  minute  down,  variable  in  height  and  out- 
line of  leaves.  Resembling  the  thorough  worts.  Flowers  in 
heads  of  panicled  corymbs.  Dry,  sandy  soil,  New  Jersey 
southward  and  westward  to  eastern  Kansas. 

132 


a* 


XL 


silver- rod   {Solidago  bicolor) 
(See  page  134) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Silver-rod 

Solidkgo  bicolor.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  cream  white. 
This  is  the  only  white  golden-rod,  although  a  variety  of  Virgaurea 
is  found  near  the  White  Mountains  with  rays  so  pale  as  to  be 
almost  white.  The  bicolor  is  usually  taken  for  an  aster.  The 
flowers  grow  in  clusters,  making  short  or,  at  times,  rather  long 
interrupted  racemes  upon  the  wand-like,  softly  hairy  stems. 
Leaves,  oblong,  pointed  at  both  ends,  the  lower  ones  with  short 
petioles,  the  upper  sessile,  serrate.     August  to  October. 

In  dry  soil  along  paths  and  roadsides  through  open  woods 
in  the  Eastern  States.     (See  illustration,  p.  133.) 

Aster 

The  asters — distinguished,  often  handsome,  members  of 
the  Composite  Family — seldom  bloom  before  August.  They 
are  essentially  a  fall  flower,  mingling  their  bright  purple  or 
blue  or  white  rays  tastefully  with  the  golden-rods  and  sun- 
flowers. They  grow  with  us  everywhere,  and  being,  with 
few  exceptions,  perennials,  reappear  year  after  year  in  their 
own  chosen  haunts.  The  disks  are  yellow,  sometimes  turn- 
ing to  brown  or  purple.  Asters  grow  upon  the  stems  and 
branches  variously,  sometimes  in  close  bunches,  or  in 
corymbs  or  loose  panicles.  Many  species  are  subject  to 
great  variations,  and  they  run  into  one  another.  They  vary 
in  size  from  small  buttons  to  a  silver  half-dollar.  The  name 
means  a  star. 

Aster   macrophyllus Family,     Composite.     Color,    white,    or 

sometimes  with  a  bluish  tinge.  There  are  many  white  asters, 
and  some  of  those  of  a  blue  or  purple  color  vary  to  white.  By 
attention  to  stem,  leaves,  and  locality,  most  of  them  can  be 
classified.  This  species  has  a  stout  stem,  2  or  3  feet  high.  Leaves, 
rough,  serrate,  the  lower  with  long  petioles,  heart-shaped,  very 
long  and  broad.  Upper  sessile  or  with  short  petioles.  Heads 
of  flowers  in  large,  firm  corymbs. 

Open  woods  and  thickets. 

White  Heath  Aster 

A.  ericoides  bears  tiny  white  flowers,  becoming  pinkish,  with 
fine,  almost  hair-like  rays,  and  yellow,  compact  disks.  It  might 
be  a  small  daisy.  Leaves,  small,  narrow,  the  lower  broader  and 
somewhat  toothed.     Stems,  slender  and  wiry,  from   1  to  3  feet 

134 


michaelmas  daisy  (Aster  Tradescanti) 
(See  page  136) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

high.     Branches  spreading  and  bearing  flowers  upon  the  upper 
side.     October. 

An  early  and  late  flowering  aster,  being  one  of  those  found 
in  dry,  open  woods.  From  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island 
southward  and  westward. 

Dense-flowered  Aster 
A.  muUiftdrus — A  bushy  plant,  with  stiff,  spreading  branches, 
very  leafy,  i  to  7  feet  tall.  Flowers,  crowded,  terminating  the 
main  and  side  branches.  Leaves,  small,  bract-like  above,  sessile, 
thick,  rigid,  mostly  pointing  upward,  rough  on  the  edges.  '  August 
to  October. 

Sandy  soil  in  open  fields  and  roadsides  from  Maine  to 
Georgia  and  westward. 

Calico  Aster 

A.  lateriflorus — Color,  white  or  pale  purple  (see  p.  477).  Leaves, 
long,  broad  below,  narrow  above,  toothed  in  the  middle,  pointed 
at  both  ends.  The  lower  leaves  with  short  petioles,  the  upper 
sessile. 

One  of  the  smaller  asters.  Common  and  variable.  Sev- 
eral varieties  are  enumerated,  known  by  small  or  large 
leaves.  It  is  a  much  branched,  hairy  species,  and  the 
blossoms  are  crowded  upon  one  side  of  short  branchlets. 
Dry,  open  places,  common  in  all  the  Eastern  States. 

Michaelmas  Daisy 

A.  Tradescanti. —  Color,  white,  sometimes  tinged  with  pink. 
Leaves,  lance-shaped  upon  the  upper  branches,  sharply  pointed 
above,  sessile  where  joined  to  the  stem.  Those  below  are  broader, 
but  linear,  about  3  to  6  inches  long.  Heads  of  flowers  numerous^ 
racemose  on  the  branches,  sometimes  the  terminal  one  being  a 
little  larger  than  the  others.  Stem,  smooth  and  slender.  August 
to  October. 

A  softly  blooming  species  found  in  low  or  moist  grounds, 
even  in  swamps,  from  Maine  to  Virginia  and  westward. 
(See  illustration,  p.  135.) 

Panicled  Aster 

A.  paniculktus — Color,  white,  but  sometimes  pale  violet.  The 
smooth  stern  of  this  species  reaches  a  height  of  7  or  8  feet,  and 
is  therefore  one  of  our  tallest.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  sharply  but 
distantly  serrate,  sessile,   those  below  clasping  the  stem*  those 

136 


daisy  fleabane  [Erigeron  annuus) 

(See  page  138) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

above  with  smooth  margins,  variable  as  to  shape.     Flowers  not  so 
crowded  as  in  some  species,  rather  large. 

A  bushy  and  coarse-stemmed  plant.  Common  as  far  south 
as  Virginia  in  low,  rather  wet  grounds. 

Umbelled  Aster 
A.  umbellktus. — Color,  white,  sometimes  with  a  suggestion  of 
pink.  Rays  rather  few.  Flowers,  grouped  in  compound,  flat 
corymbs,  small.  Leaves,  tapering  at  both  ends,  smooth  mar- 
gined or  slightly  serrate.  Lower  leaves  6  inches  long.  Stem,  tall, 
leafy  to  the  top,  7  feet  or  less. 

In  moist  soil  along  roadsides.  Varieties  of  this  aster  are 
found  westward  and  southward  from  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania. 

Whorled  or  Mountain  Aster 

A.  a.cumina.tus. — Color,  white  or  purplish.  The  stem  of  this 
aster  is  slender,  single,  branched,  softly  hairy,  more  or  less  zig- 
zag and  bent,  1  to  3  feet  high.  Flowers,  with  long,  narrow  rays, 
about  1 5  in  number,  the  heads  numerous,  on  the  ends  of  branches. 
Leaves,  thin,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  very  pointed  above,  taper- 
ing below,  sharply  toothed,  often  appearing  whorled  near  the 
top.     June  to  September. 

Moist  woods  as  far  south  as  Pennsylvania,  farther  south 
in  the  mountains. 

Daisy  Fleabane.     Sweet  Scabious 

Erigeron  annuus — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white,  with  a 
purplish  tinge.  These  are  flowers,  sometimes  weeds,  much  like 
the  asters,  but  with  finer,  softer,  more  numerous  rays.  Annual, 
1  to  4  feet  high,  with  softly  hairy,  stout-branched  stem  bearing 
the  rather  large  flowers  in  loose  corymbs  near  the  ends  of  the 
branches.  Leaves,  coarse  and  large  below,  toothed,  ovate,  on  a 
margined  petiole.  Those  above  ovate  or  linear,  becoming  at 
length  bracts.     May  to  November. 

In  dry  fields  West  and  South.      (See  illustration,  p.  137.) 

Daisy  Fleabane 

E.  rambsus. — This  may  be  known  from  the  last  by  its  gen- 
erally entire  leaves,  which,  with  the  stem,  are  almost  smooth. 
Upper  leaves  scattered,  lance-shaped;  lower,  broader.  Heads 
with  longer  white  rays  than  the  last.     June  to  October. 

Fleabanes,  when  dried  and  hung  inside  the  house,  were 
once  considered  poisonous  to  insects.  Fields,  common  as 
far  south  as  Virginia. 

138 


WHITE-TOPPED  aster   {Scriocarpus  asteroides) 
(See  page  140) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Horse-weed.     Butter-weed 

E.  canadensis. — Color,  white.  Leaves,  long  and  narrow,  those 
from  the  root  lobed.  Stem,  straight,  slender,  covered  with  bris- 
tly hairs.  Heads  of  flowers  in  panicles,  the  rays  having  a  cut- 
off appearance.     July  to  October. 

A  coarse,  ugly  weed,  in  waste  places  everywhere. 

White-topped  Aster 

Seriocarpus  asterotdes. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white,  with 
a  pale  yellow  center.  Disk  and  ray  flowers  present.  The  flowers 
grow  in  flat-topped  clusters  on  plants  i  to  3  feet  high.  Leaves, 
serrate  or  smooth,  thin,  sessile,  upper  ones  very  much  reduced, 
linear,  generally  hairy.     July  to  September. 

A  common  and  conspicuous  plant  found  on  borders  of 
thickets  and  woods  and  along  roadsides  in  dry,  sandy  soil. 
Maine  to  Florida  and  westward.      (See  illustration,  p.  139.) 

S.  linifblius. — Color,  white.  Stem,  firm  and  smooth,  marked 
with  fine  lines,  corymbosely  branched,  bearing  numerous  flowers 
with  few  rays  above  a  bell-shaped  involucre.  Leaves,  long  and 
narrow,  with  rough  edges,  mostly  sessile.  The  pappus  of  these 
two  species  is  silky,  white.     June  to  September. 

In  dry  soil,  fields  and  thickets  eastward  and  southward. 

Plantain-leaved  Everlasting 

Antennaria  plant aginifblia. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  cream 
or  dull  white.  Leaves,  all  silky  and  soft,  those  at  root  clustered 
and  spreading,  inversely  ovate,  rounded  at  apex,  3 -nerved, 
petioled;  those  on  the  flower-stems  linear,  pointed,  sessile,  green 
above,  white  and  densely  woolly  beneath.  The  fertile  and  sterile 
flowers  grow  in  separate  plants,  generally  near  one  another,  the 
pistillate  being  smooth,  soft,  cottony-downy.  Styles,  red.  Stami- 
nate  flowers  have  more  color,  and  a  dotted  appearance.  April 
to  June. 

An  early,  pretty  spring  flower  found  in  rocky,  barren 
fields  and  woods  everywhere.  Low,  3  to  18  inches  high, 
spreading  by  offsets  and  runners.     (See  illustration,  p.  141.) 

Pearly  Everlasting 

Anaphalis    margaritacea Family,    Composite.     Color,    white. 

Stamens  and  pistils  in  different  flowers.  Flowers,  all  tubular  in 
clusters  at  the  summit  of  cottony  stems,  mixed  with  many  leaves. 
The  scales  which  surround  the  flowers  are  obtuse,  very  white, 
standing  out  straight  and  stiff.     Leaves,   long,   narrow,   without 

140 


WHITE    GROUP 


plantain-leaved  everlasting  (Antennaria  plantaginifolia) 

(See  page  140) 

petioles,  sharp-pointed,  covered  with  a  soft,  silky  down,  green 
above.     July  and  August. 

On  hills  and  in  dry  woods.     Common  in  the  more  Northern 
States.    These  flowers  retain  their  shape  and  color  when  dried. 

141 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Common  Everlasting 

Gna.pha.lium  polycephalum  (name  means  "wool"). —  Family, 
Composite.  Color,  whitish.  Staminate  and  pistillate  flowers  in  the 
same  heads  all  surrounded  by  dry,  white  scales,  which  are  some- 
times tinged  with  brown,  the  outer  woolly.  Flowers,  in  panicled 
corymbs.  Leaves,  oblong  or  linear,  clustered  at  the'  base  of  the 
stem  and  numerous  on  the  stem  and  branches,  those  on  the 
flowering  branches  very  small  and  narrow.     July  to  September. 

Open  and  dry  fields  and  waste  places.  The  rosettes  of 
leaves  at  base  of  stem  often  remain  through  the  winter. 

Clammy  Everlasting.     Winged  Cudweed 

G.  decurrens — Color  of  flowers,  white,  with  yellowish  scales  un- 
derneath. Leaves,  linear,  lance-shaped,  slightly  clasping,  running 
down  on  the  stem.  2  to  3  feet  high,  woolly,  fragrant.  July  to 
September. 

Open  clearings,  dry  or  wet  soil.  A  stout,  erect,  very 
woolly  plant,  the  flowers,  wTith  their  dry  and  scarious  scales, 
clustered  in  dense,  flat-topped  masses. 

From  Mr.  Gibson  we  learn  that  a  species  of  butterfly 
("Hunter's")  with  orange,  black,  and  rose  colored  wings, 
selects  this  plant  from  which  to  hang  its  cocoon,  made  of  the 
petals  of  the  flowers  woven  together  with  its  own  silk.  He 
says:  "  If  we  take  a  walk  in  the  grassy  road,  in  the  pasture- 
lot,  or  mountain-path,  we  may  now  (September  2 2d)  find 
dozens  of  them.  Yonder  is  a  clump  of  the  everlasting  among 
the  sweet-ferns.  It  is  white  with  blossoms,  and  some  of  them 
seem  fraying  out  in  the  wind.  Our  bower-builder  is  certainly 
there — perhaps  a  dozen  of  them.  Ah,  yes,  here  is  our  bower 
dangling  from  the  top  of  the  stem  and  blowing  in  the  breeze." 

Low  or  Marsh  Cudweed 

G.  uliginbsum. — Color,  white.  Flowers,  in  roundish  heads  sur- 
rounded by  many  leaves,  some  of  which  are  longer  than  the  flowers. 
Involucre  dry  and  papery.  Leaves,  without  petioles,  long,  narrow, 
pointed.     Whole  plant  woolly.     Low,  4  to  6  inches  high. 

Found  in  damp  soil  along  roadsides  and  in  ditches.  Not 
very  common.  Dyed  blue  or  red,  the  everlastings  were 
once  favorites  for  winter  decorations,  and  in  company  with 
dried  grasses  made  some  parlors  hideous.  They  have  also, 
made  into  wreaths,  been  a  funeral  flower. 

142 


WHITE   GROUP 

Purple  Cudweed 

G.  purpixreum.  —  Color  of  flowers  white,  but  the  involucre  of 
bracts  underneath  is  purplish,  more  prominent  than  the  disk 
flowers.  Flowers  grow  in  a  terminal,  often  interrupted,  more 
or  less  leafy  spike.  Stem,  wand-like,  simple,  stiff  and  erect, 
covered  with  a  dense  wool.  Leaves,  narrow  above,  pointed, 
clustered  at  the  base  where  they  are  broader,  narrowed  into 
petioles.     Whole  plant  woolly  with  white  down. 

Dry,  sandy  soil  of  wide  distribution  along  the  Eastern 
coast.     6  to  20  inches  high. 

Galinsoga 

Ga.lin.sdga.  par<viflora. — Family,  Composite.  Color  of  ray  flow- 
ers white,  of  disk  yellow.  Floivers,  small,  terminating  the 
branches  and  in  the  axils.  Leaves,  thin,  ovate,  toothed,  with 
petioles.     June  to  November. 

A  weed  found  plentifully  in  the  back  yards  of  city  and 
country  homes.  Also  in  waste  places  everywhere.  It  is 
weak-stemmed,  inclined  to  be  procumbent,  from  a  few 
inches  to  2  feet  in  height.  The  pappus  is  of  fringed  or 
bristle-tipped  scales.     Smooth  and  odorless. 

Yarrow.     Milfoil 

Achillea  millefolium, —  (Named  after  Achilles,  who  is  said  to  have 
discovered  its  healing  qualities) .  Family,  Composite.  Color,  white, 
sometimes  with  a  pink  tinge.  Leaves,  twice  pinnately  divided 
into  sections  which  are  3  to  5 -cleft.  Rays  of  flower,  5  to  10.  The 
small  flowers  grow  in  flat,  stiff,  hard  corymbs,  3  or  4  inches  across. 
The  stems  are  simple,  stout,  covered  with  the  dissected,  tansy- 
like leaves.     Not  unpleasantly  scented.     August. 

A  discouraging  weed,  which,  once  introduced  into  a  lawn, 
is  almost  impossible  to  eradicate.  Yarrow  tea  has  had  a 
reputation  in  many  countries  among  some  people  for  medici- 
nal virtues. 

May-weed.     Dog  Fennel 

Anthemis  Cotula. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white  rays  and 
yellow  disks.  Both  ray  and  disk  flowers  present.  This  is  the 
maruta  of  older  editions,  a  common,  daisy-like  plant  found  on 
sandy  roads  and  places.  It  has  an  evil  smell  of  camomile  min- 
gled with  tansy.  Leaves,  thrice-dissected  into  very  fine  segments. 
No  pappus.     Summer. 

Plant  small,  generally  seen  along  roadsides  covered  with 
dust. 

10  M3 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

White-weed.    Ox-eye  Daisy.    White  Daisy.    Marguerite 

Chrysanthemum   Leucanthemum Family,    Composite.     Color, 

white  rays  and  yellow  disks.  Leaves,  cut  or  toothed,  those  below 
with  long  petioles,  spatulate;  those  above  oblong,  pinnatifid. 
June  to  August. 

Fields.  Not  so  common  southward.  The  wonder  is 
that  so  simple  a  flower  can  carry  so  long  a  name.  This  is 
the  common  white  daisy,  dear  to  city  maidens,  abhorred  by 
cultivators  of  the  soil.  It  has  come  from  Europe,  and  is  a 
weed  most  persistent,  aggressive.  Not  pleasant  smelling, 
but  undoubtedly,  when  massed  in  big  vases,  a  pretty  thing. 
The  feverfew  and  marguerite  of  the  gardens  are  refined  types 
of  this  weed.  The  English  daisy  is  pink,  "crimson-tipped," 
as  Burns  says,  and  is  a  near  relative  of  the  white-weed. 

Fireweed 

Erechfites  hieracifolia Family,    Composite.     Color,    greenish 

white.  Leaves,  lance-shaped  or  oblong,  toothed,  sessile,  those 
above  having  eared  bases.     August  and  September. 

A  coarse  plant  with  grooved  stem  and  leaves  of  various 
shapes  and  sizes,  growing  tall  (6  feet  or  less)  and  erect.  The 
heads  of  flowers  are  flat  or  elongated  in  their  arrangement, 
and  the  seeds  give  rise  to  many  large,  soft,  fine  hairs.  This 
plant  springs  up  in  vast  numbers  over  burned  districts,  filling 
the  air  with  its  white,  filmy,  cobwebby  pappus  when  the  seed 
is  ripe.  This  is  caught  everywhere  on  fences  and  trees, 
blocking  window-screens  and  dusting  clothing.  There  is 
no  beauty  in  the  plant,  and  it  has  a  rank,  disagreeable  odor. 

Great  Indian  Plantain.     Wild  Collard 

Ca.ea.lia.  reniformis. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white.  Flow- 
ers, all  tubular,  with  no  marginal  rays,  collected  in  flat  clusters. 
Involucre  of  about  5  bracts  in  a  single  row,  making  a  cylindrical 
cup.  Leaves,  the  lower  large  and  broad,  1  to  2  feet  across,  kidney- 
shaped,  with  petioles;  upper  fan-shaped,  distinctly  toothed,  all 
thin,  green  on  both  sides.     August. 

A  plant  4  to  9  feet  tall,  with  a  stout,  grooved,  or  angled 
stem.     Rich,  moist  woods  from  New  Jersey  southward. 

Pale  Indian  Plantain 

C.  atriplicifolia.  —  Color,  white.  Stem,  stout,  smooth,  round, 
3  to  6  feet  high.     Leaves,  palmately  veined  and  cut,  sometimes  6 

144 


WHITE    LETTUCE.        RATTLESNAKE-ROOT.        (PrenanthcS    alba) 
(See  page  146) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

inches  across,   the  lower  ones  with   petioles,   the  upper  sessile, 
smaller,  triangular,  square  at  the  base.      Late  summer. 

New  Jersey  southward  and  westward.  In  rich  woods  and 
prairies. 

C.  sua<veolens — This  is  a  plant  of  lower  growth  (highest  5  feet), 
with  triangular-shaped,  pointed,  toothed  leaves,  the  stem  leaves 
with  winged  petioles.     August  and  September. 

A  rare  growth  of  rich  woods  from  Connecticut  west  and  south. 

White  Lettuce.     Rattlesnake-root 

Prenanthes  alba.. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white  or  cream. 
Pappus  and  involucral  scales  brown  or  purplish.  Flowers,  5  to 
18  in  a  head,  hanging  on  short  pedicels,  corymbosely  panicled  at 
the  ends  of  branches.  Leaves,  triangular  in  general  outline,  with 
ear-like  lobes  at  their  bases,  3  to  5-cleft,  toothed,  the  upper 
entire,  oblong.     Late  summer  into  September. 

Rich  woods  and  thickets,  and  all  shady  grounds  from 
Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward.  A  smooth,  coarse  plant 
with  milky  juice,  variable  leaves  which  are  large  below  and 
small  above,  3  or  4  feet  high.  The  heads  of  bell-like  flowers 
hang  close  to  the  purplish  stem  in  terminal  panicles.  (See 
illustration,  p.  145.) 

Wild  Lettuce 

P.  altissima.  —  Color,  cream  or  yellowish  white.  Flowers,  in 
loose,  terminal,  and  axillary  panicles,  with  leaves  interspersed; 
5  involucral  scales  surround  the  flower.  Tall,  5  to  7  feet.  Leaves, 
with  petioles,  sometimes  winged,  variously  divided,  cut,  or  toothed, 
ovate,  triangular,  or  heart-shaped,  or  3  to  5-lobed,  the  divisions 
cleft.     Late  July  or  August  to  October. 

Cool,  moist,  shady  woods,  Maine  to  Georgia  westward  to 
Tennessee. 

Lion's-foot.     Gall-of-the-earth 

P.  serpentaria — Color,  greenish  white  or  cream,  sometimes  pur- 
plish (see  p.  370).  In  this  species,  which  is  variable  in  color,  the 
heads  of  floivers  are  crowded  at  the  tips  of  long  branches.  In- 
volucre is  bell-shaped,  of  green  or  purplish  bracts.  Pappus  white 
or  light  brown.  Leaves,  the  lower  with  margined  petioles,  all 
variously  cut  or  lobed,  the  segments  being  generally  rounded  at  the 
tips,  thickish.     Stem,  purplish,  smooth.     September  and  October. 

Near  the  coast  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  Ala- 
bama. The  tubers  of  this  genus  are  very  bitter  to  the  taste, 
whence  the  common  name,  gall-of-the-earth, 

146 


CHAPTER   V 

YELLOW,    PALE    YELLOW.    ORANGE 

Golden  Club 

Orontium  aquaticum. — Family,  Arum.  Color,  yellow.  A  scape 
i  foot  or  so  tall  rises  out  of  the  water  terminated  by  a  nar- 
row leafless  spadix  of  rich  yellow  color,  covered  with  small,  per- 
fect, yellow  flowers.  The  lower  flowers  contain  6  sepals  and 
stamens,  the  upper,  4  of  each.  The  spathe  which  incloses  the 
very  young  spadix,  after  a  time,  becomes  bract-like,  imperfect, 
remaining  merely  as  a  sheath  at  the  base  of  the  scape,  or  it 
wholly  drops  off.  Leaves,  lance-shaped  or  oblong,  on  long  petioles, 
varying  with  the  depth  of  the  water,  dark  green  and  velvet-like 
above,  pale  underneath,  all  from  root.  Floating  on  top  of  the 
water.     Scape  reaches  beyond  the  flowering  spadix.     May. 

An  aquatic  perennial.  Massachusetts  to  Florida,  in  ponds 
and  sluggish  streams  not  far  from  the  coast. 

Yellow-eyed  Grass 

Xyris  flexubsa.. — Family,  Yellow-eyed  Grass.  Color,  yellow. 
Flowers,  attended  by  a  bract,  crowded  into  a  cone-like,  small 
head.  Sepals  and  petals,  3.  Stamens,  3  fertile,  3  sterile  alter- 
nating with  the  fertile.  Style,  3-cleft.  Leaves,  grass-like,  twisted. 
Summer. 

In  the  sandy  marshes,  with  cranberry,  sundew,  and 
marsh  St.  John's-wort,  the  little  yellow  dots  of  xyris  are 
everywhere.  It  rises  tall,  a  foot  or  more,  with  a  somewhat 
flattened  stem,  bearing  at  the  top  a  small,  brownish,  nearly 
round  head  of  scales.  If  we  call  it  a  tiny  pine-cone,  no 
bigger  than  a  small  pea,  we  give  it  as  the  naked  eye  sees  it. 
From  the  top  of  this  cone,  or  a  little  to  one  side,  spring  1,2, 
or  3  flowers,  each  showing  just  3  wide-open  golden  petals. 
There  are  also  3  small  sepals,  one  larger  than  the  others, 
fringed  with  short  hairs.  The  stem,  and  often  the  leaves,  air 
twisted.     Botanically  the  little  cone   is  a  head  of  bracts, 

J47 


yellow-eyed  grass   (Xyris  flexuosa) 
(See  page  147) 


toopertv  of 
.COLLEGE  LIBRARY, 


YELLOW   GROUP 

from  within  each  of  which  a  blossom  may  spring.     The  flower 
withers  very  soon  after  picking.     Massachusetts  to  South 
Carolina  and  westward.     (See  illustration,  p.  148.) 
Fringed  Yellow-eyed  Grass 

X.  fimbriate  is  a  larger  and  taller  species,  2  feet  high,  with  a 
more  flattened,  stouter  stem,  and  a  head  of  bracts  over  half  an 
inch,  sometimes  an  inch,  long.  In  this  the  lateral  sepals  are 
fringed  and  project  beyond  the  bracts. 

Found  in  New  Jersey  pine  barrens,  southward  to  Florida. 
Carolina  Yellow-eyed  Grass 

X,  ca.rolinia.na.  sends  up  scapes  1  to  2  feet  tall,  slender,  twisted 
or  straight.  Leaves,  linear,  quite  long.  Head  of  flowers  about 
£  inch  long. 

Found  along  the  Atlantic  States  and  in  Pennsylvania. 

X.  arenicola.  —  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  twisted,  from  a  broad, 
thickened  base  which  is  covered  with  thick,  brown  scales,  the 
remains  of  older  leaves.  Sepals,  fringed,  not  so  long  as  in  the 
last  species.     Flowers,  in  a  long,  narrow  head. 

In  pine  barrens,  New  Jersey  south  and  west  to  Florida  and 
Mississippi. 

Water  Star-grass 

Heteranthera  dubta Family,  Pickerel-weed.  Color,  pale  yel- 
low. An  aquatic  herb,  with  flowers,  1  or  2  from  a  spathe  which 
is  partly  covered  by  the  sheathing  base  of  a  petiole.  Perianth,  a 
long,  thread-like  tube,  parted  above  into  6  long,  narrow  divisions. 
Stamens,  with  arrow-shaped  anthers,  their  filaments  enlarged 
below.  Leaves,  grass-like,  sessile,  translucent,  submerged.  The 
flowers  reach  the  surface  of  the  water  on  slender,  branching  stems, 
2  to  3  feet  long.     July  to  October. 

Rooted  in  mud,  in  shallow,  still  water. 

Bog  Asphodel 

Narthecium  americanum. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves, 
linear,  one  arising  out  of  another,  like  those  of  iris,  very  narrow, 
about  7-nerved;  those  above,  quite  small.     June  to  September. 

From  the  sword-shaped,  grass-like  leaves  a  straight  stem 
arises,  a  foot  to  18  inches  high,  bearing  at  the  top  a  dense 
raceme  of  small,  greenish-yellow  flowers,  each  with  6  narrow 
similar  sepals,  6  woolly  stamens,  and  a  sessile  stigma.  Bracts 
attend  the  flowers.  A  rather  pretty  bog  herb  found  in  pine 
barrens  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  to  Virginia. 

149 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Bellwort 

Uvularta  perfoliate — (Name  from  uvula,  meaning  palate,  from 
the  position  of  the  flower  under  the  leaves) .  Family,  Lily.  Color, 
pale  or  dull  yellow.  Stems,  from  8  to  20  inches  high,  slender, 
springing  from  a  perennial  rootstock.  The  ascending  branch 
divides,  bearing  a  drooping,  solitary,  bell  -  shaped  flower  which 
hangs  from  a  long  (i-inch)  peduncle,  at  first  terminal,  but  be- 
coming lateral  as  the  branch  grows  beyond  it.  Divisions  of 
perianth,  6,  long,  narrow,  spreading  at  the  top,  roughish  within. 
Stamens,  6.  Ovary,  3-lobed.  Leaves,  oblong  or  oval,  pointed  at 
apex,  roundish  at  the  base,  through  which  the  stem  passes.  May 
and  June. 

Rich,  moist  woods  from  Massachusetts  southward.  Found 
3,500  feet  high  in  mountains  of  Virginia.  A  pretty  flower  of 
the  spring. 

Large-flowered  Bellwort 

U.  grandiflbra. — Color,  yellow.  A  larger  species  than  the  last, 
the  bell-shaped  flower  being  from  one  to  one  and  a  half  inches  long. 
Stem,  forking,  with  1  or  2  leaves  below  the  fork.  Leaves,  narrower 
than  the  last,  but  like  them  perfoliate,  the  stem  passing  through 
them,  oblong,  oval,  or  egg-shaped,  pointed.     April  to  June. 

In  moist,  rich  woods  over  a  wide  range  in  the  Atlantic 
States. 

Mountain  Bellwort 

Oakesia  puberula Family,  Lily.     This  and  the  next  species 

may  be  separated  from  the  Uvularias  by  the  leaves,  which  are 
sessile  but  not  perfoliate.  Flower,  single,  about  1  inch  long, 
from  a  slender  peduncle,  the  perianth  divided  into  6  segments, 
spreading  above.  The  stem  forks,  is  rather  stout,  and  slightly 
hairy  and  rough.  Leaves  rounded  at  base,  pointed  at  apex.  May 
and  June. 

In  mountainous  woods,  Virginia  to  South  Carolina. 

0.  sessilifblia. — This  species  rarely  bears  true  leaves  below  the 
fork  in  the  stem,  but  one  or  two  reduced  to  scales.  Leaves,  lance- 
shaped,  acute  at  both  ends.  Flowers,  like  the  last.  May  and 
June. 

Common  from  New  England  to  Georgia. 

Day  Lily 
Hem.eroci.Uis  ful<va. — Family,  Lily.     Color,  deep  yellow.    Leaves, 
long,   linear,   tapering  to  a  point.     The  flower  scape,   generally 
longer  than  the  leaves,  3  to  6  feet  high,  bears  several  large  flowers 

150 


WILD    ORANGE-RED    LILY.       WOOD     LILY.        (LMum     ph'llcidcl  phicum) 
(See  page  152) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

in  a  panicle.     The  3  outer  divisions  of  the  perianth  are  flat,  the 
3   inner  obtuse,   wavy. 

This  lily  has  left  the  old  gardens,  escaped  to  roadsides  and 
fence-corners,  where  it  leads  a  Bohemian  sort  of  life.  It 
grows  tall,  and  bears  several  blossoms,  short-pedicelled,  with 
small  bracts.  Stamens  large  and  prominent.  The  blossoms 
last  a  day  only,  and  then  wither. 

The  yellow,  sweet-scented  lily  (77.  flava)  should  also  be 
noticed  as  occasionally  escaping  from  cultivation  into  a  wild 
state. 

Tiger  Lily 

LUium  tigrinum.  —  A  garden  species,  tall,  2  to  5  feet,  stout- 
stemmed,  leafy  to  the  base,  often  found  in  the  fence-corners 
and  along  roadsides,  growing  wild.  The  stem  is  nearly  black  or 
dark  purple,  bearing  black  bulblets  in  the  upper  leaf-axils,  which 
sometimes  throw  out  rootlets.  Leaves,  lance-shaped,  with  promi- 
nent ribs  and  entire  outlines,  alternate.  Flowers,  often  numerous, 
large,  drooping,  with  orange  -  spotted,  turned  -  back  sepals.  It 
has  1  long  pistil  and  6  stamens,  projecting  and  spreading. 

Wild  Orange-red  Lily.  Wood  Lily 
L»  phitadelphicum. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  deep,  reddish  orange, 
with  darker,  brownish-red  spots  inside.  Flowers,  1  to  3,  more 
often  single,  erect,  the  6  equal  segments  of  the  perianth  narrowed 
into  claws,  spreading  but  not  drooping  backward.  Stamens,  6, 
prominent,  with  anthers  hung  in  the  middle.  Style,  long,  showing 
above  the  stamens,  with,  when  ripe,  a  3-lobed  stigma.  Capsules, 
large,  2  inches  long,  filled  with  many  seeds.  Leaves,  long,  nar- 
row, whorled  on  the  stem  or  scattered  below.  A  simple,  stout 
stem  arises  from  a  scaly  bulb,  bearing  the  flowers  in  June  and 
July. 

In  dry,  open  woods,  or  along  the  borders  of  thickets  in 
sandy  soil.  A  strikingly  handsome  lily,  3  or  4  inches  long, 
of  fine,  rich  color,  making  solid  pretensions  to  elegance. 
Every  one  who  sees  it  growing  in  the  woods  is  seized  with 
an  intense  desire  to  pick  the  entire  stem,  often  dragging 
up  the  bulb — a  sure  way  to  exterminate  this  queen  of  the 
woods.      (See  illustration,  p.  151.) 

Turk's-cap  Lily 

L.  superbum. — Color,  dark  orange,  spotted  with  red.  Perianth 
of  6  segments,  rolled  back.  Stamens,  6,  with  linear  anthers  lightly 
attached  at  their  middle  to  slender  filaments.  Style,  thick,  bear- 
ing a  3-lobed  stigma.     Flowers,  nodding,  arranged  in  rows,  one 

J52 


I 


turk's-CAP   lily    [Lilium   supermini) 
(See  page  152) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

row  above  another,  making  a  pyramid  of  from  2  to  40  blossoms. 
July  and  August. 

A  stalk  7  to  8  feet  high,  crowned  with  many  rows  of  these 
large,  bright  lilies,  is  one  of  the  handsomest  gifts  of  the 
flower  kingdom.  Neither  is  it  chary  of  its  charms,  for  it 
blooms  in  the  low  meadows,  along  the  roadside,  in  thickets, 
rearing  its  beautiful  pyramids  where  the  clethra  grows,  near 
the  border  of  a  marsh  or  shaded  stream,  wherever  the  soil 
is  moist.  New  England  to  Virginia  and  westward.  (See 
illustration,  p.  153.) 

Wild  Yellow  Lily.     Canada  Lily.     Meadow  Lily 

L.  canadense.  —  Color,  yellow,  dotted  with  brown.  Leaves, 
rough  on  margins  and  veins  underneath,  lance-shaped,  or  some- 
what oblong,  in  whorls  of  4  to  10  around  the  stem.  Height,  3  to 
5  feet.  Flowers  about  2  J  inches  long,  the  sepals  curving  back- 
ward. The  stamens,  as  in  all  our  lilies,  have  prominent  brown 
anthers,  which  dust  the  bodies  of  big  bees  with  pollen  when  they 
sip  the  nectar  from  the  bells.  Stigma,  large  and  3 -divided. 
June  and  July. 

This  is  pre-eminently  the  field  lily,  and  the  only  one  of  our 
wild  lilies  which  is  of  a  golden  yellow  color.  Like  the  Turk's- 
cap,  it  nods  on  its  stem,  but  unlike  that,  which  rears  a 
pyramid  of  many  rich  blossoms,  this  hangs  out  a  single  golden 
bell,  or  at  most  two  or  three  lilies,  on  its  flower-bearing  stalk. 

In  the  fields,  low-lying  and  moist,  or  sometimes  in  swamps, 
where  this  flower  appears  in  profusion,  the  golden  color  most 
charmingly  tints  the  entire  meadows.  Perhaps  a  few  of  the 
red  lilies  may  keep  it  company,  but  for  the  most  part  these 
prefer  a  drier  and  shadier  locality.  Nova  Scotia,  south  to 
Georgia,  west  to  Missouri. 

Dog's-tooth  Violet.     Yellow  Adder's-tongue 

Erythrbniam  am.erica.num Family,  Lily.     Color,  light  yellow. 

Perianth  divisions  6,  separate,  narrow,  longer  than  the  6  stamens, 
of  a  light  yellow  color,  sometimes  spotted  at  the  base.  Flow- 
ers, single,  bell-shaped,  on  long  peduncles.  Style,  club-shaped 
with  united  stigmas.  Stem,  1  foot  high  or  less.  Leaves,  2,  long, 
narrow,  usually  mottled  with  white  or  purplish  spots,  sometimes 
wholly  green,  contracted  below  into  petioles  which  surround  the 
stem.     March  to  May. 

Deep,  cool,  moist  woods,  New  England  to  Florida  and 
westward.     A  low,  smooth  plant,  often  growing  in  masses 

i54 


YELLOW   adder's-TONGue    (Iirythronium   amcricnium) 
(See  page  154) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD   FLOWERS 

or  beds  in  moist,  rich  woods.  The  pretty  flowers  close  at 
night  and  open  mornings.  On  warm,  sunny  days  the  perianth 
segments  curve  backward.     (See  illustration,  p.  155.) 

Yellow  Clintonia 

Clintbnia.  borealis.  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  cream  or  greenish 
yellow.  Leaves,  2,  3,  or  4,  sheathing  the  base  of  the  flower-stem, 
oval  or  oblong,  pointed,  parallel-veined,  hairy.  A  pretty  plant,' 
with  leaves  like  lily  of  the  valley,  and  stem  6  to  15  inches  high[ 
bearing  on  its  summit  an  umbel  of  3  to  6  open,  spreading,  bell- 
shaped  flowers,  each  on  a  slender  stalk,  which  points  upward  in 
fruit.  Alternating  with  the  sepals,  fastened  to  their  base,  are 
the  6  conspicuous  stamens.  The  fruit  is  a  blue  berry,  nearly 
round.     Middle  of  May  into  June. 

An  interesting,  uncommon-looking  plant,  whose  delicate 
flowers  strongly  contrast  with  its  ample  leaves. 

Small  Solomon's  Seal 

Polygonktum  biflbrum — Family,  Lily.  Color,  greenish  yellow. 
Leaves,  alternate,  broad,  ovate,  narrow  at  base,  acute  at  apex, 
nearly  sessile,  parallel  -  veined ;  2  to  4  inches  long,  pale  green,' 
softly  hairy  along  the  veins  beneath.  Flowers,  cylindrical,  bell- 
shaped,  perianth  6-divided  at  the  summit.  They  hang  under  the 
stem,  mostly  in  pairs,  sometimes  in  threes,  small  as  compared 
with  the  protecting,  overhanging  leaves.     May  to  July. 

An  interesting  spring  flower,  growing  from  a  jointed  root- 
stock,  which  is  scarred  or  scaled  where  the  former  upright 
growths  have  fallen  off.  The  flower-bearing  stem  (2  or  3 
feet  high)  curves  gracefully,  and,  in  fall,  displays  round, 
bluish-black  berries.  In  dry  woods,  on  hillsides,  in  thickets^ 
New  England  to  Florida. 

Great  Solomon's  Seal 

P.  comm.uta.tum. — Color,  greenish  yellow.  A  smooth  plant,  1 
to  8  feet  high,  the  stem  rather  slender,  bearing  leaves  and  flowers 
above,  naked  below.  Peduncles,  2  to  8-flowered,  jointed  below 
the  flowers,  all  from  a  creeping,  broad  rootstock.  Flowers, 
elongated,  bell-shaped,  in  pairs,  hanging  from  the  stem  below 
the  leaves,  producing  blue-black  berries  in  September.  Leaves, 
clasping  or  sessile,  many-nerved,  broad,  acute  or  rounded  at  apex. 
May  to  July. 

In  moist  woods  or  on  river-banks,  Rhode  Island  to  Georgia. 
Not  so  common  as  the  preceding  species. 

156 


YELLOW    GROUP 

Indian  Cucumber-root 

Medeola    virginiana Family,    Lily.      Color,    greenish    yellow. 

Perianth  of  3  sepals  and  3  petals,  alike,  turned  backward.  Styles, 
3,  very  peculiar  -  looking,  stigmatic  along  the  upper  side,  long, 
thread  -  like,  purple,  bent  away  from  the  ovary.  Stamens,  0. 
Flowers,  in  an  umbel  near  the  top,  on  long  peduncles.  Leaves,  in 
2  whorls,  one  near  the  middle  of  the  stem,  of  5  to  9  ovate  or  long 
and  narrow,  pointed,  thin  leaves;  the  other  just  under  the  flowers, 
like  an  involucre,  of  3  to  5,  shorter,  all  parallel-veined.  Perennial 
herb,  with  simple  stem  rising  12  to  30  inches  high  from  a  white 
tuber,  whose  taste  is  a  little  like  that  of  the  cucumber.  In  fall, 
dark  purple,  conspicuous  berries  are  produced.     May  and  June. 

In  rich,  moist  woods  from  New  England  to  Florida  and 
westward.  Ascends  in  mountains  of  Virginia  nearly  3,000 
feet. 

Red-root 

Lacnanthes  tinctbria — -Family,  Bloodwort.  Color,  dingy  yellow. 
Perianth  of  3  sepals  and  3  petals.  Stamens,  3,  opposite  the  inner 
divisions  of  the  perianth.  Filaments  and  style  long,  thread-like, 
bending  outward,  the  style  especially  prominent.  Leaves,  long, 
sword-shaped,  those  clustered  at  base  shorter  than  the  flowering 
stem,  those  above  bract  -  like.  Flowers  grow  in  woolly,  dense 
cymes  or  broad  panicles,  on  pedicels,  terminating  a  hairy  stem. 
Fibrous  root  red.     July  to  September. 

Sandy  swamps  and  pine  barrens  near  the  Atlantic  coast 
from  Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

Star  Grass 

Hypoxis  hirsuta. — Family,  Amaryllis.  Color,  yellow.  Perianth, 
6-parted,  greenish,  rough,  hairy  on  the  outside,  yellow  within. 
Stamens,  6.  Root,  a  small  bulb.  The  bright,  star-like  blossoms 
grow,  1  to  3  or  4,  on  a  scape  less  than  a  foot  high.  Leaves,  grass- 
like, stiff,  hairy,  longer  than  the  flower-stem. 

In  meadows  and  borders  of  woods,  Maine  to  Florida. 
(See  illustration,  p.   158.) 

This  is  not  a  grass,  as  its  common  name  would  seem  to 
imply.  In  connection  with  this  flower  I  recall  an  incident  of 
a  botanical  excursion.  Rev.  Thomas  Morong,  an  eminent 
botanist,  now  deceased,  was  the  teacher  and  guide.  Among 
the  excursionists  were  some  amateur  botanists  who  knew  the 
flowers  only  by  their  common  names.  One  of  these  young 
ladies  found  the  hypoxis,  and  called  it  "yellow  star-grass." 

i57 


star-grass  {Hypoxis  hirsuta) 
(See  page  157) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

"It  is  not  a  grass  at  all,"  said  the  professor.     "It  is  Ily- 
poxis  ere  eta."  l 

Said  another,  "  I  suppose  we  may  call  its  cousin,  the  flower 
so  nearly  like  it,  'blue-eyed  grass'?"  "You  certainly  may 
not,"  the  professor  answered,  impatiently.  "That  is  also 
not  in  any  sense  a  grass.  It  is  Sisyrinchium  augusttfolium, 
a  member  of  the  Iris  Family.  These  two  flowers  have  no 
relation  to  each  other.  The  hypoxis  is  an  amaryllis.  Why 
do  people  learn  these  common  names,  which  are  often  so 
misleading,  when  it  is  just  as  easy  to  associate  a  plant  with 
its  only  true  name?" 

Blackberry  Lily 

Bela.mci.nda.  chinensis. — Family,  Iris.  Color,  deep-orange  yel- 
low. Leaves,  like  those  of  iris,  8  to  10  inches  long,  folded.  Above 
are  thin,  dry  bracts.     July  to  September. 

It  was  while  walking  on  one  of  the  roads  in  Sufifern,  New- 
York,  that  I  first  found  this  strikingly  handsome  flower 
growing  to  a  height  of  3  or  4  feet,  with  the  sword-shaped 
leaves  of  the  flower-de-luce,  the  stem  crowned  with  small 
lily-like  blossoms.  I  nevertheless  perceived  that  it  was  not 
a  lily.  An  enlarged  central  column  came  up  through  the 
ovary,  and,  the  outside  covering  falling  away,  the  round, 
juicy  seeds  clung  to  this  receptacle  and  formed  a  very  clever 
imitation  of  a  blackberry.  The  6  divisions  of  the  flower 
perianth  are  deeply  and  regularly  cut  nearly  to  the  base  of 
the  flower-tube,  spreading  and  turning  somewhat  backward. 
After  flowering  they  twist  together  and  remain  withered 
above  the  ovary.  They  are  of  a  deep-orange  tint,  speckled 
with  purplish,  irregular  spots.  Originally  from  China,  here 
and  there  escaped  from  gardens,  from  southern  New  York 
to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Smaller  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper 

Cypripedium  parviflorum — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  bright  yel- 
low, with  a  tinge  of  purple  or  purplish  stripes  or  spots  upon  the 
petals,  which  are  often  twisted.  Perianth  divisions  longer  than 
the  lip,  which  is  yellow.  Stem,  2  feet  high,  leafy.  This  has  a 
subtle,  rare  fragrance.     May  to  July. 

In  swamps  or  bogs  northward,  and  in  the  mountains  of 
Virginia. 

1  Now  named  //.  hirsuta. 
11  159 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Var.  pubescens  (Larger  Lady's  Slipper)  differs  in  being  a  larger 
flower  with  stem  about  the  same  height,  i  to  2  feet.  Lip,  a  green- 
ish yellow,  striped  with  purple,  Sepals,  lance  -  shaped,  long, 
twisted,  lip  much  swollen.  Leaves,  oval,  pointed,  quite  broad, 
those  under  the  flower  linear. 

Twayblade 

Listera  con-vattarwides  rises  from  a  cluster  of  fibrous  roots  4  to 
10  inches  high,  with  2  broad,  roundish  leaves  near  the  center  of 
the  scape.  1  or  2  small  scales  near  the  base.  Flowers,  greenish 
yellow,  on  thread-like  pedicels  attended  by  a  tiny  bract,  in  loose 
racemes,  3  to  12  in  a  spike.  Lip  much  longer  than  the  sepals  and 
petals,  double-lobed  at  the  apex,  generally  with  2  sharp,  ear-like 
projections  at  the  base.      Summer. 

From  Vermont  southward  to  North  Carolina;  found  in 
the  Southern  States  among  the  mountains. 

Southern  Twayblade 

L.  austrklis  bears  very  small  greenish-yellow  flowers  with  pur- 
ple stripes.  The  narrow  lip  is  h  inch  long,  slit  nearly  its  entire 
length.  Leaves,  ovate,  sessile,  a  pair  attached  just  above  the 
middle  of  the  scape.  Rarely  a  third  leaf  occurs  near  the  raceme 
of  flowers.     Scape,  4  to  10  inches  high. 

In  wet  woods  or  bogs  from  New  York  to  Florida. 

Whorled  Pogonia 

Pogbnia  <verticiUkta. — Family,  Orchis.  Color  of  sepals  a  dark 
purple,  of  petals  greenish  yellow.  Lip,  3 -divided,  crested,  ex- 
panded above,  not  much  larger  than  the  other  two  petals.  Sepals, 
2  inches  long,  thread-like.  Flower,  upon  a  long  peduncle,  solitary, 
terminating  a  stem,  which  is  10  to  12  inches  high.  Leaves,  under 
the  flower,  in  a  whorl,  pointed,  sessile.  No  leaves  lower  down, 
but  small  bracts.  Root  of  several  small  tubers.  May  and 
June. 

Moist  woods,  Ontario  to  Wisconsin  southward  to  Florida. 
Rare  in  northern  New  England,  but  not  infrequent  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  Connecticut.  One  of  the  curious  orchids  re- 
sembling an  insect;  a  happy  find  to  the  explorer  of  cool, 
damp  woods.      (See  illustration,  p.  161.) 

Smaller  Whorled  Pogonia 

P.  af finis. — Color,  greenish  yellow.  Flowers,  generally  in  pairs, 
on  scapes,  5  or  6  inches  high,  which  bear  a  whorl  of  5  leaves  at 
the  summit.  Above  this  whorl  of  leaves  thick,  somewhat  hairy 
peduncles  stand,  the  flower-stems,  which  later  produce  a  rather 

160 


■\VHORled  pogonia   (Pogonia  vcrticillata) 
(See  page  1O0) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

large  capsule.  Lip,  crested.  Sepals  and  petals  of  nearly  equal 
size. 

Moist  woods,  Vermont  and  Massachusetts  to  New  Jersey 
and  Pennsylvania.    So  rare  as  not  to  be  very  well  understood. 

Yellow  Fringed  Orchis 

Habenkria    ciliaris Family,    Orchis.      Color,    orange    yellow. 

Sepals,  round,  longer  than  the  long,  narrow  petals,  the  latter 
toothed  at  apex.  Lip,  heavily  fringed  from  apex  to  beyond  the 
middle,  oblong  in  shape.  Spur,  long,  slender.  Flowers,  large, 
handsome,  in  close  spikes,  on  short  peduncles,  with  many  floral 
bracts.  Leaves,  upper,  bract-like;  lower,  linear,  narrow,  4  to  8 
inches  long,  acute.     July  and  August. 

It  is  an  elegant  and  stately  flower,  not  common,  found  in 
peat  bogs  and  wet  meadows  from  Vermont  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

Purslane 

Portulaca  oterkcea — Family,  Purslane.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx, 
2-cleft,  the  sepals  keeled.  Corolla  of  5  petals  inserted  on  the 
calyx,  opening  only  on  sunny  mornings,  soon  falling.  Stamens, 
7  to  12.  Style,  1,  but  deeply  5  to  6-parted.  Pod,  round,  open- 
ing by  a  lid  hinged  on  one  side,  called  a  pyxis,  disclosing  numer- 
ous seeds  neatly  arranged  within.  Leaves,  thick,  fleshy,  round- 
ish, entire,  scattered.  Whole  plant  very  smooth.  In  cultivated 
ground.     A  weed. 

This  persistent  weed  lies  flat  on  the  ground.  The  farmer, 
when  he  wants  a  strong  comparison,  says,  "As  mean  as 
pusley."  His  wife  does  not  disdain  to  use  its  succulent 
stem  and  leaves  for  an  insipid  and  mucilaginous  table  vege- 
table. The  leaves  of  this  plant  turn  upward  at  night,  two 
of  them  clinging  together  when  they  are  opposite. 

Yellow  Pond  Lily.     Cow  Lily 

Nymphaea  advena — Family,  Water  Lily.  Color,  yellow,  some- 
times with  a  purple  tinge.  Sepals,  6,  greenish  yellow.  Petals, 
numerous,  stouter  than  and  passing  into  the  stamens.  The  con- 
spicuous yellow  or  light -red  stigma  is  many  rayed.  Leaves  seldom 
submerged,  more  often  floating,  thick,  deeply  cleft  at  their  base, 
1  foot  long.     Summer. 

This  plant  is  a  coarse  imitation  of  the  water  lily.  It  is 
common,  sometimes  found  in  the  same  waters  with  the 
white  water  lily.  The  fruit  ripens  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.     Without  fragrance. 

162 


YELLOW   GROUP 

N.  microphytta. — This  is  a  slender-stemmed  species,  with  some 
leaves  thin,  roundish,  or  kidney-shaped,  submerged;  others  float- 
ing, which  are  larger,  broadly  elliptical.  Flowers,  with  yellow  petals 
and  red  stigmas. 

In  ponds,  New  England  to  Pennsylvania  and  westward. 

Yellow   Neiumbo.      Sacred    Bean.      Water    Chinquapin 

Nelumbo    lutea Family,    Water  Lily.     Color,  yellow.     L<  a 

growing  well  out  of  water,  large,  1 8  to  20  inches  across,  roundish, 
sinking  in  the  center,  where  the  stalk  joins  the  blade.  Sepals 
and  petals,  like  those  of  the  water  lily.     Summer. 

The  flower  is  from  1  to  5  inches  in  diameter,  scentless, 
growing,  as  do  the  leaves,  on  tall  stems,  from  a  rootstock. 
The  numerous  pistils  are  hidden  in  a  concave  receptacle,  and 
they  produce  bean-like,  eatable  seeds.  The  plant  also  pro- 
duces edible  tubers.  Found  in  a  few  ponds  in  southern  Con- 
necticut, westward  and  southward ;  rare  in  the  Middle  States. 
Dr.  Gray  says,  probably  introduced  by  Indians. 

Seaside  Crowfoot 

Ranunculus  Cymbalkria. —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  yellow. 
Petals,  5  to  8,  surrounding  a  head  of  achenes.  The  flowers  are 
borne  upon  low  scapes,  either  solitary  or  several,  1  to  6  inches 
high.  A  nectar-bearing  pit  and  scale  are  found  at  the  base  of 
each  petal,  as  in  nearly  all  buttercups.  Leaves,  clustered  at  the 
root,  round  or  heart-shaped,  with  wavy  margins,  long-petioled, 
somewhat  fleshy.  They  also  grow  on  the  joints  of  runners,  by 
which  the  plant  propagates  itself.     June  to  August. 

This  plant  may  grow  quite  in  water,  and  upon  the  banks 
of  lakes  and  slow-moving  streams  from  Maine  to  New 
Jersey.  Also  found  beside  the  Great  Lakes,  and  inland,  in 
alkaline  soil. 

Yellow  Water  Crowfoot 

R.  delphinifblius. — Color,  bright  yellow.  Petals,  5  to  8,  much 
larger  than  the  5  sepals,  with  a  small  scale  at  the  base.  Leaves, 
immersed  in  water  or  floating  on  the  top,  cut  into  thread-like 
divisions.  The  upper  leaves  are  less  divided  than  the  lower, 
and  the  leaflets  are  variously  shaped,  toothed  and  lobed. 

A  perennial  by  means  of  runners  which  root  at  their 
joints.  The  achenes  are  compressed  into  a  roundish  head, 
each  one  tipped  with  a  straight,  pointed  beak.  Often  sev- 
eral feet  long.  An  aquatic  found  in  still  or  slow-moving 
waters  from   Maine  to  North  Carolina  and  westward.      A 

163 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

variety  terrestris,  grows  in  mud,  with  leaves  firmer,  not  so 
much  dissected,  and  with  smaller  flowers. 

Water  Plantain  Spearwort 

R.  laxicaulis. —  Color,  deep  yellow.  Sepals,  5,  very  small. 
Petals,  small,  5  to  7.  They  fall  easily.  Stamens,  indefinite. 
Pistils,  numerous,  in  a  small,  round  head.  Leaves,  4  to  5  inches 
long,  narrow  or  oblong,  distantly  toothed,  on  long,  half-clasping 
petioles.  Stems,  ascending,  sometimes  rooting  from  the  lower 
joints. 

A  smooth  plant  with  flowers  much  like  buttercups.  Maine 
to  Georgia  and  westward.      In  muddy  places,  swamps,  etc. 

Low  Spearwort 

R,  pusUlus.  —  Color,  pale  yellow.  A  small,  weak  -  stemmed 
plant,  growing  from  6  to  20  inches  high.  Flowers,  minute,  with 
yellowish  petals.  Leaves,  small,  h,  inch  long,  roundish  or  heart- 
shaped,  the  upper  ones  inclining  to  linear.     April  to  September. 

This  modest  spearwort  will  escape  our  notice,  hidden 
under  larger  and  more  aggressive  growths  as  it  is,  unless 
we  are  determined  to  find  every  treasure  which  the  marshy 
ground  contains.     Near  the  coast,  New  York  to  Florida. 

Cursed  Crowfoot.     Ditch  Crowfoot 

R.  scelerktus. — Color,  pale  greenish  yellow.  Sepals,  5.  Petals, 
5,  small,  inconspicuous,  not  longer  than  the  sepals.  Leaves, 
thickish;  those  from  the  root  roundish,  3-lobed,  with  petioles; 
those  on  the  lower  stem  3 -divided,  the  roundish  lobes  irregularly 
cut;  those  above  with  long  and  narrow,  uncut  lobes,  sessile.  Stem, 
hollow,  thick,  containing  an  acrid  juice  which  blisters  the  mouth. 
June  and  July. 

About  1  foot  high.  In  wet  places,  as  thickets  and  bogs. 
Common  in  the  Eastern  States. 

Small-flowered  Crowfoot 
R.  abortruus  ("a  little  frog,"  referring  to  the  aquatic  habits  of 
some  species). — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  pale  yellow.  Leaves, 
from  the  root,  of  2  kinds,  all  with  long  petioles.  Those  appearing 
first,  roundish,  kidney-shaped,  with  rounded  teeth;  the  later 
are  3-lobed.  Stem-leaves  divided  mostly  into  threes,  the  di- 
visions toothed.  Sepals,  5,  turned  back.  Petals,  5,  inconspicuous, 
shorter  than  the  sepals.  Floivcr,  small,  on  a  smooth,  erect,  and 
branching  stem,  growing  2  feet  high  or  less.     April  to  June. 

It  is  fond  of  wet  places  near  small  streams. 

164 


YELLOW   GROUP 

Hooked  Crowfoot 

R,  recurvktus — Color,  pale  yellow.  Sepals  and  petals,  5,  pointed, 
the  sepals  rellexed,  longer  than  the  petals.  Fruit,  a  cluster  of 
achenes  armed  with  a  long,  recurved  hook,  whence  the  common 
name.  Stem,  hairy,  1  to  2  feet  long,  strong,  woody.  Flowers,  parc- 
eled in  the  leaf-axils.  Leaves,  with  long  petioles,  the  lower  ones  large, 
all  3-cleft,  more  or  less  toothed  toward  the  apex.     May  and  June. 

Open  woods,  common  in  New  England  States  and  south- 
ward.    Not  especially  pretty. 

Early  Crowfoot 

R.  fasciculkris. — Color,  bright  yellow.  Sepals,  5.  Petals,  5,  6, 
or  7,  much  larger  than  the  sepals.  The  first  root-leaves  are  round- 
ish, 3-parted,  toothed.  Later  ones  have  a  central  stalked  lobe 
larger  than  the  lateral  segments,  all  much  divided  or  parted. 
Upper  stem-leaves  linear,  undivided.  Plant  very  leafy  and  silky, 
with  soft,  white  hairs.  Roots  clustered,  thick,  fleshy,  giving  the 
specific  name.      6  to  12  inches  high.     April  and  May. 

Hillsides  and  open  woods,  common.  Low,  bright,  and 
pretty,  a  companion  to  violets  and  anemones,  being  similar 
and  related  to  our  common  buttercups. 

Swamp  Buttercup 

R.    septentrionklis Color,    yellow.     Petals,    larger    than    the 

sepals.  Most  of  the  stems  ascend,  but  some  lie  upon  the  ground 
and  produce  runners.  Leaves,  3-divided,  the  divisions  irregularly 
cut,  the  leaflets  stalked  or  sessile.  Achenes  beaked.  1  to  3  feet 
high.     May  to  August. 

Wet  meadows  and  low  grounds. 

Creeping  Buttercup 

R.  repens. — This  is  much  like  the  last  in  flowers  and  leaves. 
The  latter  are  often  variegated  with  white  spots.  It  is  probably 
an  introduced  species,  but  is  quite  common  in  wet  meadows  and 
low  grounds,  seemingly  indigenous  westward.  It  is  of  a  creeping 
habit       Flowers  one  inch  across. 

Bristly  Crowfoot 

R.  pennsyl<v£nicus. — The  flowers  of  this  species  are  small,  with 
the  5  sepals  turned  back.  The  head  of  achenes  is  long,  cylindrical. 
Leaves,  divided  into  threes,  the  divisions  stalked  and  irregularly 
cut  or  toothed.  Stem,  stout,  erect,  beset  with  bristly  hairs.  June 
to  August. 

In  wet  ditches,  low  grounds,  and  meadows  from  Maine  to 
Georgia  and  westward. 

165 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

Bulbous  Crowfoot  or  Buttercup 

R.  bulbbsus. — Color,  a  deep  satiny  yellow.  Flowers,  i  inch 
across.  The  petals,  5,  6,  or  7,  are  round  and  open  widely.  Sepals, 
turn  back.  Leaves,  mostly  from  the  root,  3-divided,  on  long 
petioles.  The  terminal  lobe  has  a  stalk;  the  two  side  divisions 
are  sessile,  all  much  cleft  and  toothed.  Stem-leaves  small,  some- 
what cut.  Stem,  erect,  6  to  18  inches  high,  hairy,  expanding  at 
the  base  into  a  bulbous  shape.     May  to  July. 

Very  common  and  abundant  in  fields,  growing  with  the 
daisy,  and  associated  with  it  in  bouquets.  This  is  the  butter- 
cup to  most  people.  It  is  a  weed,  imported  from  Europe, 
and  troublesome  to  farmers. 

Tall  Crowfoot  or  Buttercup 

R.  acts. — Sepals,  not  turned  back.  Petals,  longer  than  the 
sepals,  not  so  deep  a  yellow  as  the  last.  Flowers,  large  and  showy. 
Leaves,  from  the  root,  3-divided,  the  divisions  3-cleft,  sessile,  all 
deeply  toothed.  Lower  leaves  tufted  at  the  root,  on  long,  hairy 
petioles;  upper  scattered  on  the  stem,  with  short  petioles  or 
none,  3-parted.  Stem,  rough,  hairy,  2  or  3  feet  high.  May  to 
September. 

Common  in  Canada  and  the  Eastern  States.  The  stem 
and  leaves  contain  a  peculiarly  acrid  juice.  If  they  are  bit- 
ten into,  the  tongue  and  lips  will  be  blistered  in  a  painful 
manner.  Beggars  use  the  juice  to  produce  sores  upon  their 
skin.  Children  picking  them  with  moist  hands  will  be 
troubled  with  an  irritating  eruption.  Cattle  refuse  to  eat 
them,  hence  they  flourish  in  great  numbers.  When  dried  in 
hay  the  acrid  properties  disappear.  An  undesirable  impor- 
tation from  Europe.  In  England  buttercups  are  called 
kingcups,  goldcups,  butter-flowers,  and  blister-flowers. 

Marsh  Marigold 

CMtha.  palustris.  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  yellow.  Petals, 
none.  Calyx,  petal-like  of  5  to  9  golden-yellow,  broad,  round- 
ish sepals.  Stamens,  many.  Pistils,  5  to  10,  making  many- 
seeded  pods.  Styles,  mostly  wanting.  Stems,  hollow  and  fur- 
rowed, 1  to  2  feet  high,  weak,  ascending.  Leaves,  mostly  from 
the  root,  but  a  few  on  the  flower-stem.  All  large,  rounded  or 
kidney-shaped,  on  fleshy  petioles.     April  to  June. 

Low,  small,  thickish  herbs,  among  our  earliest  flowers  to 
appear.     Under  the  incorrect  name  of  cowslip  these  plants 

166 


MARSH    MARIGOLD     {Cciltha    pallistris) 
(See  pape  1O6) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

are  eaten  as  "  greens,"  and  they  make  a  wholesome  and  agree- 
able dish.  The  true  cowslip  is  a  species  of  primrose.  Caltha 
means  golden  cup,  a  suitable  name  for  this  bright,  pretty 
spring  flower  that  borders  our  marshes  with  gold.  In 
swamps  and  wet  meadows.      (See  illustration,  p.  167.) 

Spreading  Globeflower 

Trollius  laxas.  —  Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  pale  greenish  yel- 
low. Sepals,  5  or  6,  petal-like,  of  a  pale  greenish  yellow,  giving 
the  color  to  the  flower.  Petals,  small,  numerous,  shorter  than  the 
many  stamens,  indented  near  the  base.  Fruit,  several  sessile, 
many  -  seeded  pods.  Flowers,  single,  terminal,  about  2  inches 
across,  open,  spreading.  Leaves,  alternate,  palmately  divided, 
the  lower  on  long  petioles,  those  nearest  the  flower  sessile,  the 
divisions  much  cut  and  toothed. 

In  swamps  from  west  Connecticut  to  Delaware  and  west  to 
Michigan.  A  white-flowered  variety  is  found  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

Celandine  Poppy 

Stylophorum  diphyllum. — Family,  Poppy.  Color,  deep  yellow. 
Sepals,  2,  rough  and  hairy,  small.  Petals,  4.  Style,  prominent. 
Pod,  bristly.  Leaves,  deeply  once  or  twice  pinnately  divided,  the 
divisions  irregularly  cut  or  lobed,  all  toothed,  on  long,  slender 
petioles,  from  the  root  and  on  the  stem,  4  to  10  inches  long,  pale 
green,  smooth  beneath.  Flower  peduncles  as  long  as  the  leaves, 
borne  at  the  summit  of  the  stem.      May. 

Deep,  cool,  moist  woods  from  Pennsylvania  to  Wisconsin 
and  southward.  Low  plants  with  orange-colored  juice,  2 
leaves  opposite  on  the  stem  near  the  top,  sometimes  a  third, 
and  terminal  flowers,  2  or  3  in  an  umbel. 

Celandine 

Cheliddnium  mkjus. —  (The  "Swallow,"  so  called  because  the 
flowers  appear  with  the  swallows.)  Family,  Poppy.  Color,  yel- 
low. Sepals,  2,  soon  falling.  Petals,  4.  Stamens,  many.  Style, 
prominent.  Pod,  2-valved,  long,  thin,  on  slender  stalks,  valves 
splitting  from  below  and  opening  upward.  Stigmas,  2.  Leaves, 
thin,  pinnately  divided,  often  twice,  with  the  divisions  lobed, 
crenate,  4  to  8  inches  long,  light  green,  hairy. 

This  is  a  small-flowered,  imported  plant  found  around 
country  gardens.  It  takes  root  easily  in  stone  walls  or 
sterile  soil,  and  blossoms  cheerily  beside  the  garden-paths. 

168 


YELLOW   GROUP 

The  stems  are  full  of  a  yellowish  acid  juice.     Flowers  in  a 
small  umbel. 

"  Long  as  there's  a  sun  that  sets, 
Primroses  will  have  their  glory; 
Long  as  there  are  violets, 

They  will  have  a  place  in  story; 
There  s  a  flower  that  shall   be  mine — 
'Tis  the  little  celandine." 

— Wordsworth. 

Horn  Poppy.     Sea  Poppy 

Gtaudum  fta<vum — Family,  Poppy.  Color,  yellow.  Sepals,  2. 
Petals,  4.  No  style,  but  a  2-lobed  stigma,  the  lobes  hollowed  out. 
Fruit,  a  rough  pod,  6  to  10  inches  long,  made  2-celled  by  a  false 
partition.  Flowers,  axillary  and  terminal.  Leaves,  clasping  the 
stem,  pinnately  cleft  below,  lobed  and  toothed  above.  Stem,  2  to  3 
feet  high.  When  broken  it  emits  a  yellowish  juice  like  the  celan- 
dine, of  which  it  is  a  near  relative.     Summer. 

In  dry  fields  and  waste  places  from  Long  Island  to  Mary- 
land and  Virginia  near  the  coast.     Rather  rare. 

Golden  Corydalis 
Corydalis  aurea.  —  Family,  Fumitory.  Color,  golden  yellow. 
Sepals,  2,  small,  scale-like.  The  corolla  is  spurred  at  the  base  on 
the  upper  side,  the  spur  being  about  half  as  long  as  the  tube  of 
the  corolla.  Stamens,  in  2  sets,  3  in  each  set,  opposite  the  3 
largest  petals.  Flowers,  in  racemes  on  short  pedicels.  Leaves, 
broad  for  the  genus,  finely  dissected  into  small  segments.  Pods, 
long,  curved,  prominent.     March  to  May. 

Rocky  banks  and  woods  from  Vermont  westward  to  Wis- 
consin and  southward  to  Pennsylvania.  Also  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

White  Mustard 

Brassica  alba..  —  Family,  Mustard.  Color,  yellow.  Flowers, 
large,  on  somewhat  stout  pedicels  in  terminal  racemes.  Leaves, 
with  petioles,  lyrate,  variously  cut,  the  terminal  lobe  round  and 
large.  2  to  5  feet  high,  stout  and  much  branched.  Pod  tipped 
with  a  sword-shaped,  1 -seeded  beak. 

Common  name  taken  from  the  color  of  the  seed.  Culti- 
vated for  table  use,  it  has  spread  and  become  a  weed. 

Black  Mustard 

B.  nigra  bears  yellow  flowers  in  slender  racemes.  Leaves,  the 
lower  ones  lyrate,  the  terminal  lobe  being  large   and  often  di- 

169 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

vided.      Pods,  I  inch  long,  filled  with  dark-colored,  pungent  seeds. 
Plant,  3  to  6  feet  high,  much  branched. 

Table  mustard  is  made  from  the  seeds  of  white  and  black 
mustard.  When  powdered  and  mixed  with  warm  water  the 
most  pungent  oil  known  is  generated,  causing  strangulation 
if  breathed.  In  England  mustard  is  sown  for  forage.  It  is 
cut  before  the  seeds  are  ripe  and  fed  to  cattle.  The  oil  of 
mustard  is  used  in  making  soap.  Sinapis  (common  mustard) 
was  known  to  the  Greeks  and  Romans  300  years  before 
Christ.  The  mustard  referred  to  in  Scripture  is  thought  to 
be  a  small  tree  allied  to  the  olive,  whose  fruit  tastes  like 
mustard-seed.     Cabbage  and  turnip  belong  to  this  genus. 

Hedge  Mustard 

Sisymbrium  officinale — Family,  Mustard.  Color,  pale  yellow. 
Flowers,  small,  in  close  spikes,  the  lower  forming  pods,  while  the 
upper  are  still  in  bud.  Leaves,  deeply  cut  into  narrow  segments,  the 
middle  onethe  largest,  the  upper  ones  sessile,  the  lower  on  short  pet- 
ioles. The  incised  parts  often  turn  backward.  Pods,  long,  pointed, 
firm  and  thick,  closely  lying  against  the  stem.    May  to  November. 

Naturalized  from  Europe,  used  for  the  table.  In  waste 
places,  often  a  weed,  everywhere  except  far  North.  2  to  3 
feet  high. 

Tumble  Mustard 

S.  altissimum. — Color,  pale  yellow.  A  tall  species,  2  to  4  feet, 
with  erect,  rather  stout  stem.  Flowers,  small,  few,  in  terminal 
racemes.  Pods,  very  long,  standing  out  from  the  stem,  about 
the  size  of  the  peduncles,  not  numerous.  Leaves,  the  lower  much 
and  deeply  incised,  with  a  large,  middle  lobe.  Some  of  the  seg- 
ments are  eared.  Upper  leaves  reduced  to  very  small,  thin, 
linear  bracts.     Summer. 

Roadsides  and  waste  places.  A  recent  immigrant,  it  is 
becoming  a  troublesome  weed. 

Wormseed  Mustard.     Treacle  Mustard 

Erysimum  cheiranthotdes  (Name  means  "blister  drawing.") 
— Family,  Mustard.  Color,  yellow.  Flowers,  small,  on  slender, 
diverging  stalks.  Pods,  short.  Leaves,  entire,  lance-shaped,  1  to 
4  inches  long,  the  upper  sessile,  the  lower  tapering  into  a  short 
petiole.  Minute,  split  hairs  cover  the  plant,  which  grows  2  feet 
high  or  less.     June  to  August. 

Along  river-banks  and  in  wet  fields,  or  in  more  open 
places,  in  poor  soil. 

170 


YELLOW   GROUP 

Marsh  Cress 

Radicula  palustris. — Fam'dy,  Mustard.  Color,  yellowish.  Plant 
i  to  4  feet  high.  Leaves,  alternate,  pinnately  cleft  or  parted,  the 
upper  slashed  or  cut  into  very  fine  pieces,  the  lower  divided  or 
cleft,  very  pungent  to  the  taste.  Pods,  short,  curved,  on  stalks 
of  the  same  length.     May  to  August. 

In  wet  places  or  often  found  growing  in  shallow  water. 

Common  Winter  Cress.     Yellow  Rocket 

Ba.rba.rea.  vulgaris  (named  from  St.  Barbara,  and  called  the 
Herb  of  St.  Barbara). — Family,  Mustard.  Color,  yellow.  Flow- 
ers, in  terminal,  long  racemes,  pods  below,  blossoms  above. 
Pod,  linear,  round,  or  somewhat  4-sided.  Leaves,  the  lower  lyrate, 
having  a  large,  terminal  lobe;  the  upper  deeply  cut  at  base, 
rounded  at  apex.     Smooth  perennial. 

Roadsides  and  wet  ground  East  and  West. 

Ditch  Stonecrop 

Penthorum  sedoides.  —  (See  description  in  chapter  on  Green 
Flowers,  p.  31.) 

Mossy  Stonecrop 

Sedum  acre.  —  Family,  Orpine.  Color,  yellow.  Sepals  and 
petals,  4  or  5.  Stamens,  twice  as  many  as  petals.  Pistils,  4  or  5. 
Leaves,  thick,  fleshy,  small,  overlapping  on  the  branches,  like 
scales.     June  and  July. 

Moss-like  plants  spreading  on  the  ground,  better  known 
in  hanging  baskets  and  urns,  but  found  escaped  from  culti- 
vation and  growing  wild  on  rocky  places,  roadsides,  and 
fields  from  New  England  to  Virginia  and  westward. 

Yellow  Mountain  Saxifrage 

Saxifraga  aizoides. —  Family,  Saxifrage.  Color,  yellow,  with 
often  orange-colored  spots.  Sepals  and  petals,  5.  Stamens,  10. 
Styles,  2.  Flowers,  in  corymbs  at  the  ends  of  the  branches,  with 
slender  pedicels.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  lance-shaped,  alternate, 
fleshy,  the  margins  clothed  with  spiny  hairs,  narrowed  at  base, 
sessile,  numerous  on  stem,  and  clustered  at  root.     June  to  August. 

Low  plants,  matted  or  tufted,  smooth,  2  to  6  inches  high. 
On  wet  rocks,  almost  an  arctic  plant,  but  found  in  Vermont 
and  western  New  York.      Delicate  and  pretty. 

False  Goat's  Beard 

Asiilbe  biternkta.  —  Family,  wSaxifrage.  Color,  yellowish  or 
white.     Calyx,  small,  4  to  5-parted.     Corolla,  sometimes  wanting, 

171 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD   FLOWERS 

when  present,  of  4  to  5  petals.  Flowers,  pistillate  and  staminate 
in  different  flowers,  in  racemes  or  large  compound  panicles.  Leaves, 
twice  or  thrice  compound.  Leaflets,  thin,  heart-shaped,  lobed, 
toothed. 

A  coarse  plant,  4  or  5  feet  high,  found  in  woods  along  the 
mountains  of  the  Southern  States. 

Cinquefoil.     Five-finger 

Potentttla  monspeliensis. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx, 
large,  5-cleft,  with  narrow  bracts  in  the  recesses.  Petals,  5,  small. 
The  calyx-lobes  project  beyond  the  petals.  Stamens,  15  to  20. 
Flowers,  in  a  small,  close,  leafy  cyme.  Leaves,  of  3  leaflets,  sessile; 
leaflets  rather  deeply  serrate. 

A  branching,  hairy  species,  growing  from  6  inches  to  2 
feet  high.  Stems  thick.  Flowers  crowded  and  mixed  with 
leaves  at  the  end  of  the  stem.  They  are  insignificant,  and 
the  petals  soon  drop.  Most  of  our  cinquefoils  have  5  leaflets. 
This  has  3.     Common. 

P.  recta. — Color,  pale  yellow.  Leaves,  palmately  divided,  5 
to  9-foliate,  generally  7,  deeply  toothed  along  the  margins. 
Stems,  upright,  stout,  hairy.  Corolla,  large,  showy.  Petals, 
notched.      June  to  August. 

Bordering  fields  and  roadsides  from  Maine  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  westward.      An  imported  species. 

Tall  Cinquefoil 

P.  arguta.  —  Color,  yellow,  or  sometimes  white.  Petals, 
large,  about  the  size  of  a  strawberry  blossom.  Leaves,  pinnate, 
with  7  to  11  leaflets,  oval  in  shape,  downy  beneath.  A  stout, 
high  species  with  brown  and  hairy  stems  4  feet  or  less  high.  June 
and  July. 

Rocky  or  gravelly  soil,  northward  from  New  England  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  south  as  far  as  New  Jersey,  Illinois, 
and  Kansas. 

Silvery  Cinquefoil 

P.  argentea. — Color,  yellow.  The  flowers  grow  in  terminal,  leafy 
cymes.  Leaves,  palmately  divided,  on  long  petioles,  with  small 
stipules,  very  white  and  velvety  underneath,  shiny,  dark  green 
above.  Stem,  also  white-woolly,  ascending,  4  to  1 2  inches  long. 
June  to  September. 

172 


SILVER  weed   (Potentilla  Anscrina) 
( See  .pace  174) 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Dry  fields,  New  England  to  Washington,  D.  C.  It  is  im- 
possible not  to  recognize  this  showy  cinquefoil,  with  its 
silvery  stem  and  leaves  and  its  handsome  flowers. 

Common  Cinquefoil 

P.  canadensis. — This  species  runs  upon  the  ground  or  stands 
erect.  Stems  are  brown,  wiry,  roughish.  Flowers,  on  long  pe- 
duncles, single,  from  the  leaf-axils.  Runners  are  produced  as 
from  strawberry  vines.  The  3  leaflets  number  apparently  5,  by 
the  deep  division  of  the  2  side  leaflets.     May  to  July. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  waysides  in  all  the  Eastern  States. 

Silver  Weed 

P.  Anserma. — Calyx  and  corolla,  5 -divided.  5  bractlets,  often 
cut,  lie  between  the  sepals.  Leaves,  all  from  the  root,  pinnate, 
with  from  7  to  2 1  leaflets  and  smaller  ones  in  between,  dark  green 
above,  silky  white  beneath.      2  or  3  feet  long.     June  to  August. 

The  broad,  open,  yellow  flower  grows  on  a  scape  from  a 
bed  of  beautifully  cut,  handsomely  colored  leaves,  which  are 
green  above,  conspicuously  white  beneath.  Like  a  straw- 
berry plant,  the  silver  weed  spreads  by  jointed  runners. 
Along  the  dunes  bordering  Long  Island  bays  I  have  found 
this  pretty  potentilla,  its  leaves  lapping  the  water.  In  salt 
or  brackish  marshes,  banks  of  streams,  very  widely  dissemi- 
nated.     (See  illustration,  p.  173.) 

Shrubby  Cinquefoil 

P.  fruHcosa. — Color,  bright  yellow.  Stem,  erect,  much  branched, 
woody,  leafy.  Leaves,  pinnate,  with  5  to  7  leaflets,  paler  beneath, 
silky,  the  leaflets  roundish,  with  turned-back  margins. 

In  some  parts  of  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire  this  is  a 
troublesome  weed,  covering  the  low,  open  hills  with  their 
thick  bushes,  which  in  autumn  turn  a  dark  brown.  This 
might  be  placed  among  the  shrubs. 

Yellow  Avens 

Geum  stricium. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx  of  5 
sepals,  with  bractlets  in  the  sinuses.  Petals,  5.  Stamens,  many. 
Leaves,  from  the  root,  pinnate,  with  5  to  7  wedge-shaped  leaflets; 
those  on  the  stems  3  to  5-divided,  with  oblong,  acute  leaflets. 
Stipules,  prominent  and  deeply  cleft.  Pistils,  many,  forming 
burs  with  hooked  bristles  in  fruit  on  a  soft,  downy  receptacle. 
July  and  August. 

174 


agrimony   (Agrintonia  striata) 

(See  pace   I  7" ) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Moist  meadows  and  damp  thickets  from  New  Jersey  north 
and  west.  This  is  a  pretty  flower  with  graceful  foliage,  2  to 
5  feet  high,  dotting  the  New  Jersey  meadows  in  summer. 

Agrimony 
Agrimonia. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  yellow.  The  genus  Agrimo- 
nia may  be  known  by  a  terminal  long  spike  of  small  yellow 
flowers  whose  calyx  is  tubular,  5-lobed,  its  throat  and  margin 
being  covered  with  hooked  bristles.  After  the  petals  fall,  this 
calyx  closes  over  the  fruit,  investing  it  with  bristles,  so  that  it 
becomes  a  small  bur.  The  fruit  consists  of  2  achenes,  one  in  each 
of  a  pair  of  carpels.  Stamens,  5  to  15.  Leaves  are  pinnate,  com- 
posed of  several  pairs  of  leaflets,  with  small  ones  intermediate, 
and  large,  prominent  stipules,  all  deeply  serrate. 

The  following  species  are  found  in  the  Eastern  States  from 
Maine  to  Georgia: 

A.  striata., — Flowers,  in  loose,  narrow  racemes,  widely  separated. 
Leaflets,  crenate,  sessile,  generally  5,  with  quite  small  interme- 
diate leaflets.      1  to  5  feet  high,  more  often  2  feet.     Late  summer. 

Moist  woods.      (See  illustration,  p.   175.) 

A.  mollis. — Stem  and  leaves,  softly  hairy.  Leaflets,  mostly  7, 
dull  green,  widely  spreading.  Fruit,  top-shaped,  broad  above, 
bristles  borne  on  a  flat  or  convex  disk.  i\  to  6  feet  high.  July 
to  September. 

Dry  fields. 

A.  parviflbra. — Spikes,  many  and  rather  closely  flowered.  Stem, 
rough,  2  to  6  feet  high.  Leaflets,  9  to  17,  thin,  linear,  sharply 
toothed,  crowded,  with  many  smaller  ones  between  of  varying 
size.     July  to  October. 

Dry,  sandy  soil. 

A.  rostellata. — Stem,  slightly  glandular  from  a  tuberous  root, 
covered  with  scattered  hairs.  Leaflets,  about  5,  ovate  or  oblong, 
crenately  toothed,  the  intermediate  ones  very  small.  Stipules, 
large,  toothed.  Flower  -  spike  loosely  covered.  July  to  Sep- 
tember. 

Dry,  rocky  woods. 

A.  gryposepala. — Stem,  very  glandular,  hairy.  Leaflets,  large, 
thin,  about  7,  ovate  or  oblong,  sharply  serrate.  2  to  6  feet  high. 
June  to  August. 

176 


YELLOW    GROUP 

Woods  and  thickets,  dry  or  moist  soil.  The  species  are 
difficult  to  separate. 

Wild  Senna 

Cassia  marilandica. —  Family,  Pulse.  Color,  bright  golden 
yellow,  growing  paler.  Leaves,  compound,  of  8  to  10  pairs  of 
oval  leaflets.  July  and  August.  The  papilionaceous  type  of 
corolla  is  lost  here.  The  petals,  5  in  number,  are  unequal, 
open  and  spreading,  large,  made  more  conspicuous  by  the  10 
stamens  of  different  lengths,  with  their  large,  dark-brown,  almost 
black  anthers.  No  tendrils  or  odd  leaflets  terminate  the  pinnate 
leaves.  A  small  club-shaped  gland  marks  the  joining  of  each  leaf 
to  the  main  stem  on  the  upper  side  of  the  leaf.  The  flowers  ter- 
minate the  branches  in  short  axillary  racemes.  The  corolla  drops 
off  easily,  and  a  specimen  gathered  for  the  herbarium  must  be 
quickly  dried.  It  grows  3  to  5  feet  high,  a  handsome  plant,  with 
slender,  hairy  pods,  3  inches  long,  following  the  blossoms. 

Collected  and  dried,  the  pods  and  leaves  form  the  Ameri- 
can senna  used  in  medicine.  New  England  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

Partridge  Pea 

C.  Chamaecrisia. — Color,  bright  yellow.  The  spreading  petals, 
not  papilionaceous  in  character,  are  unequal  in  size.  2  or  3  have 
a  purple  spot  at  the  base.  Stamens,  10,  4  with  yellow  anthers, 
6  with  purple,  all  opening  by  2  pores  at  the  apex.  Pod,  flat, 
many-seeded,  with  cross-partitions.  Leaves,  pinnate,  from  10  to 
15  pairs  of  leaflets,  and  one  terminal,  all  somewhat  sensitive, 
folding  together  when  plucked.  A  pair  of  cup-shaped  glands  is 
found  at  the  base  of  the  2  lowest  leaflets.  Stipules,  present.  The 
showy  flowers,  on  slender  pedicels,  grow  in  small  clusters  under 
the  leaves.  Stems,  erect,  but  spreading,  about  r  foot  long.  Late 
summer. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  especially  near  the  seashore,  Massachu- 
setts southward  and  in  the  interior. 

Wild  Sensitive  Plant 

C.  nictitans. — This  species  bears  very  small  flowers,  on  short  ped- 
icels, similar  in  shape  and  size  to  the  last.  Leaflets,  10  to  20  pairs, 
oblong  to  linear,  sensitive,  with  a  gland  at  the  base  of  the  petiole. 

Shelley's  famous  poem,  "The  Sensitive  Plant,"  refers  to 
the  Mimosa  pudica,  a  European  plant,  whose  leaves  are  more 
sensitive  than  those  of  our  cassias.  All  of  this  genus  fold 
their  leaflets  and  "sleep"  at  night.  In  the  partridge  pea 
each  pair  folds  together,  and  they  then  lie  along  their  main 

177 


wild  sensitive  plant   (Cassia  nictitans) 

(See  page  177) 


YELLOW   GROUP 

stem,  flattening  themselves  closely  against  it.  so  as  scarcely 
to  be  distinguishable  at  night  from  the  branches. 

"A  sensitive  plant  in  the  garden  grew, 
And  the  young  wimls  fed  it  with  silver  dew; 
And  it  opened  its  fan-like  leaves  to  the   light, 
And  closed  them  beneath  the  kisses  of  night." 

The  leaves  of  our  species  are  feather-like  rather  than  fan- 
like. 

These  plants  are  common  from  New  Jersey  and  Long 
Island  southward.  In  their  season  they  make  bright  with 
color  the  dry  land  along  the  railroads,  extending  into  the 
fields  and  lining  the  waysides.      (See  illustration,  p.   178.) 

False  or  Wild  Indigo 

Baptisia  tinctbria  (name  means  "to  dye,"  on  account  of  the 
use  of  some  species  to  make  a  "poor  indigo"). —  Family,  Pulse. 
Color,  yellow.  Calyx,  4  or  5-toothed.  Corolla,  papilionaceous. 
Stamens,  10.  Pods,  roundish,  pointed,  stalked,  a  little  raised 
above  the  ealyx.  Leaves,  smooth,  small,  3-divided,  nearly  sessile, 
the  leaflets  wedge-shaped.  Stipules  and  bracts  present,  but  very 
small.     Flowers,  in  numerous  short  racemes.      Summer. 

This  common,  well-known  "indigo"  plant  is  found  every- 
where along  our  walks  and  drives,  in  sandy  soil.  The  leafy, 
much-branched,  in  outline  roundish,  bushy  herb,  about  2 
feet  high,  with  its  bright  racemed  pea-blossoms,  is  a  general 
favorite,  notwithstanding  its  tendency  to  turn  black  when 
picked  and  dried  for  the  herbarium. 

Rattle-box 

Crotalkria  sagittalis Family,   Pulse.      Color,   yellow.     Corolla, 

papilionaceous,  the  standard  large,  broad,  heart-shaped.  Of  the 
10  united  stamens,  5  have  larger  anthers  than  the  others.  The 
pistil  protrudes.  Pods,  at  first  green,  then  turning  black,  becom- 
ing hard  and  brittle.  The  dry  seeds  rattle  in  the  pod,  whence 
the  common  name.  Leaves,  simple,  oblong,  acute,  nearly  sessile. 
Stipules,  present,  inversely  arrow-shaped  at  base,  so  formed  by 
running  down  on  the  stem.     June  to  September. 

A  small,  coarse,  hairy  plant,  1  foot  high  or  less,  near  the 
coast  in  sandy  soil  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

Yellow  or  Hop  Clover 

Trifblium  agrkrium.— Family ,  Pulse.  Color,  yellow,  the  corolla 
becoming  dry  and  brown  with  age.     Leaves,  3-foliate,  spreading, 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

of  a  roundish  or  oval  form.     Stipules,  long  and  narrow,  joined  to 
the  leaf-stalks  for  half  their  length.     Summer. 

Light,  sandy  soil,  by  roadsides  and  in  fields  from  New 
England  to  Virginia.     A  naturalized  species. 

Low  Hop  Clover 

T.  procumbens. — Much  like  the  last,  with  downy,  spreading 
stems,  5  to  6  inches  high.  Leaflets,  notched  at  the  end,  not  equal 
distances  apart.     Stipules,  roundish,  short. 

Common  in  all  the  Eastern  States  in  sandy,  dry  fields,  and 
along  roadsides.     Naturalized  from  Europe. 

Yellow  Melilot.     Sweet  Clover 

Melilotus  officinalis — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  yellow.  Flowers, 
small,  in  spiked,  drooping  racemes.  Leaves,  of  3  toothed  leaflets, 
blunt  at  apex,  minutely  serrate. 

A  plant  which,  when  dried,  is  fragrant.  It  grows  tall,  from 
2  to  4  feet.     Common  in  waste  fields  or  cultivated  ground. 

Black  Medick.     Nonesuch 

Medickgo  luputma — Family,  Pulse.  This  is  a  yellow-flowered 
clover,  with  flowers  in  short  spikes;  and  kidney-form,  1 -seeded 
pods.  Leaves,  with  petioles,  3-divided,  the  leaflets  nearly  round, 
often  tipped  with  a  small  thorn.  Pods,  when  ripe,  curl  and  be- 
come black.     March  to  December. 

In  dry  fields  and  waste  places,  a  weed,  throughout  the 
country.     Brought  originally  from  Europe. 

Pencil  Flower 

Stylosa.nth.es  biflbra  (name  means  columned  or  penciled  flower, 
from  the  stalk-like  calyx  tube). — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  yellow. 
Calyx,  with  a  slender  tube,  upon  which  the  papilionaceous  corolla 
with  included  stamens  stands.  Standard,  round,  and  keel  in- 
curved. Stamens,  in  2  sets,  distinguished  by  their  anthers,  of 
which  the  5  longer  are  joined  to  their  filaments  near  their  bases, 
the  5  shorter  alternating  with  the  longer,  fastened  near  the  mid- 
dle. Pods,  1  or  2-jointed,  with  the  lower  half  of  the  hooked  style 
clinging  to  them.  When  2-jointed  the  lower  joint  is  empty,  and 
it  acts  like  a  stalk  for  the  upper.  Heads  few,  clustered  with 
small  flowers.  Leaves,  divided  into  3  sessile,  lance-shaped  leaf- 
lets, with  straight,  prominent  veins.  Stems,  low,  branched  from 
the  base,  6  to  20  inches  long. 

New  York  and  New  Jersey  to  Florida  in  pine  barrens  and 
sandy  soil,  generally,  near  the  coast. 

180 


YELLOW   GROUP 

Yellow  Flax 
Linum  striatum — Family,  Flax.  Color,  yellow.  Sepals,  short, 
5.  Petals,  stamens,  and  pistils,  5.  A  perfect  and  symmetrical 
flower,  often  taken  as  a  pattern  for  class  study.  Stamens,  united 
at  base.  Flowers,  small,  rather  crowded  on  viscid,  clustered 
stems,  creeping  at  base.  They  last  only  a  day,  and  produce  a 
roundish,  brown  pod.  Leaves,  opposite  below,  alternate  above; 
oblong,  rather  broad.  Stem  and  branches,  angular,  often  winged 
by  ridges  sent  down  from  the  leaf  petioles.     Summer. 

In  bogs  and  swamps,  New  England  to  Florida  and  west- 
ward. Liu  u in  means  a  thread.  Flax  is  an  Anglo-Saxon 
word,  signifying  to  plait  or  weave.  The  use  of  flax  for  linen 
cloth,  cordage,  etc.,  is  as  ancient  as  are  the  Egyptian  mum- 
mies, many  of  which  were  wrapped  in  fine  linen.  Of  its  his- 
tory we  read  that  "  in  the  Temple  of  Minerva  at  Lindus  there 
was  kept  a  linen  corselet  of  fine  workmanship  which  had 
been  worn  by  Amasis,  an  Egyptian  king  who  reigned  600 
years  before  Christ,  each  thread  of  which  was  composed  of 
360  filaments." 

Wild  or  Slender  Yellow  Flax 

L.  virginiknum — Blossoms  like  the  last.  They  are  small,  star- 
like, scattered  on  the  spreading  branches  in  an  irregular  panicle. 
Leaves,  entire,  thin,  oblong,  or  long  and  narrow,  on  the  flowering 
branches  reduced  to  bracts.      1  to  2  feet  high.     June  to  August. 

Suckers  springing  from  the  base  of  the  stem  help  to  prop- 
agate the  plant,  which  is  a  common  growth  on  the  edges  of 
light,  dry  woods. 

Grooved  Yellow  Flax 
L.  sulcatum. — The  flowers  of  this  species  are  rather  large,  about 
h  inch  across,  on  ascending  branches  that  are  grooved  and 
strongly  angled.  Sepals,  bristly  margined,  sharp  -  pointed,  3- 
nerved.  Flowers,  in  irregular  corymbs.  Pods,  conspicuous, 
roundish.  Leaves,  alternate,  long,  narrow,  with  a  pair  of  dark- 
colored  glands  instead  of  stipules.     Plant  2  feet  high  or  less. 

In  dry  soil,  mostly  in  the  interior,  along  the  mountains  to 
Georgia  westward. 

Lady's  Sorrel.     Yellow  Wood  Sorrel 
Oxalis  corniculata  (name  means  "sour"). — Family,  Geranium. 
Sepals,  petals,  styles,   5.     Stamens,   10.     Pods,  long,  erect,  weak- 
stemmed,   arranged  in  cymes  or  umbels,    standing  erect  at  the 


Eft     4^' 


lady's  sorrel,     yellow  wood  sorrel.      (Oxalis  corniculata) 

( See  page  i 8 i ) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

tip  of  the  peduncle.  Leaves,  on  stem  and  from  the  root,  notched, 
of  3  leaflets. 

The  common  yellow  sorrel  flower  varies  greatly  in  size 
from  a  buttercup  to  a  small  cinquefoil.  The  plant  is  smooth 
or  rough ish.  Stem-leaves  and  upright  pods  contain  acid 
juice,  pleasing  to  pickle-loving  school  girls.  The  flowers 
grow  on  leafy  steins,  springing  from  the  leaf -axils,  on  rather 
long  peduncles.  This  is  one  of  the  plants  that  conspicuously 
"sleep"  and  fold  their  leaflets  at  the  approach  of  night. 
This  species  bears  secondary  blossoms,  which  are  pollinated 
in  the  closed  bud  and  are  especially  fruitful.  Strangely,  the 
ordinary,  more  showy  flowers  absolutely  prevent  self- 
pollination  by  having  stamens  and  anthers  of  2  or  even 
3  different  lengths,  dimorphous  or  trimorphous.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.   182.) 

Orange  Milkwort.     Wild  Bachelor's  Button 
Polygala  lutea.  — Family,   Milkwort.     Color,  bright   orange  yel- 
low, which  is  not  lost  in  drying.     Button-like  heads  closely  packed 

with  small  flowers  terminate  the  stem  and  branches  of  this  low- 
plant,  which  grows  from  6  to  12  inches  high.  Lower  leaves  broad, 
acute,  closely  joined  to  the  stem,  often  tapering  at  base.  J 'Lint, 
tufted,  smooth,  with  fibrous  roots.     June  to  October. 

Not  uncommon  in  Long  Island  swamps,  New  Jersey  pine 
barrens,  in  Pennsylvania,  near  the  coast  to  Florida  and 
Louisiana. 

Jewel-weed.     Balsam.     Touch-me-not 

Impktiens   pallida Family,    Touch  -  me  -  not.     Color,    yellow, 

somewhat  spotted  with  brown.  Flower,  irregular.  Calyx,  yel- 
lowish, colored  like  corolla,  of  4  sepals.  One  of  the  sepals  forms 
a  broad  sac  ending  in  a  curved  spur,  which  is  the  prominent  feat- 
ure of  the  flower.  Petals,  2,  each  2-lobed.  Stamens,  5.  Pod, 
5-valved.  When  ripe,  the  pod  bursts,  each  valve  curling  upward 
and  throwing  the  seeds  to  some  distance.  The  plant  bears  also 
smaller  and  more  fertile  flowers,  which  are  pollinated  in  the  bud. 
The  larger  ones  seldom  bear  fruit.  Leaves,  petioled,  oval,  toothed, 
the  teeth  sharp-pointed,  pale  green,  almost  silvery  underneath. 
If  placed  in  water  the  leaves  show  tints  of  silver  and  gold.  Smoot  h, 
2  to  5  feet  high. 

The  way  in  which  this  plant  scatters  its  seed  illustrates 
one  of  nature's  admirable  contrivances  for  securing  wide 
propagation  of  its  species.     It  seems  a  less  clumsy  method 

183 


jewel-weed,     balsam,     touch-me-not.      (Impatiens  pallida) 
(See  page  183) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

than  that  employed  by  sticktights,  which  depend  upon 
animals  for  their  dispersal.  In  damp  ground,  preferring  rich 
soil  and  some  shade,  in  all  the  Eastern  States.  (See  illustra- 
tion, p.  184.) 

Spotted  Touch-me-not 

/.  biflora. — This  species  is  deeper  yellow,  more  spotted,  with  a 
longer  and  narrower  sac  and  spur  than  the  last.  The  two  are 
often  found  growing  together,  in  wet  soil,  along  roadsides  where 
springs  run,  or  in  wet  dells,  where  these  plants  mass  themselves. 

Scarcely  any  plant  by  its  numerous  common  names  proves 
itself  dearer  to  the  common  people.  Lady's  eardrops,  silver- 
leaf,  touch-me-not,  lady's  slipper,  refer  to  the  pendent  blos- 
som, or  the  silvery  appearance  of  the  leaf  when  held  under 
water,  or  the  seeming  touchiness  of  the  pod,  which,  when 
ripe,  goes  off  with  the  slightest  handling. 

Indian  Mallow.     Velvet  Leaf 

Abutilon  TheophrastL — Family,  Mallow.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx, 
5  -  cleft.  Corolla,  5  -  divided,  the  petals  open  and  spreading, 
nearly  1  inch  across.  Flowers,  on  stout  peduncles,  in  the  leaf- 
axils.  Stem,  3  to  6  feet  high.  Stamens,  standing  in  a  column 
around  the  pistil,  bearing  anthers  at  the  top.  Ovary  separates 
into  many  cavities  which  are  hairy  and  beaked.  Leaves,  broad, 
tapering  at  tip  to  a  sharp  point,  strongly  heart-shaped,  often 
nearly  a  foot  across,  on  long  petioles.     August  to  October. 

In  waste  places  as  vacant  city  lots,  common  especially  in 
the  South,  where  it  becomes  a  weed. 

Sida 

Sida  spinosa.  —  Family,  Mallow.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx,  5- 
cleft.  Petals  and  styles,  5.  Fruit,  of  5  carpels  united,  each  be- 
coming 2-beaked  at  the  top.  Leaves,  linear  or  lance-shaped,  on 
petioles,  toothed. 

A  low,  branched  plant  getting  its  name  from  a  spine-like 
protuberance  found  at  the  base  of  some  of  the  leaves.  An 
importation  from  the  tropics,  this  plant  is  now  found  grow- 
ing in  waste  fields  of  southern  New  York  and  to  the  west- 
ward and  southward. 

St.  Peter's-wort 

Ascyrum  starts.  —  Family,  St.  John's -wort.  Color,  yellow. 
Sepals,  4,  the  2  outer  much  broader  than  the  inner,  leaf-like. 
Petals,  4,  open,  spreading.  Stamens,  many.  Styles,  3  or  4.  Fruit, 
a   pod,    1  -  celled,   but    splitting    into    2   to    4    pieces.     Flowers, 

185 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

single,  or  few  in  a  terminal  cyme.  Leaves,  opposite,  oval,  grow- 
ing  erect,   black-dotted,   clasping    or    sessile.     Stem,   erect,    i    or 

2  feet  high,  flattish,  smooth,  and  leafy.     July  and  August. 

Pine  barrens  of  Long  Island  to  Pennsylvania  and  south- 
ward. 

St.  Andrew's  Cross 

A.  hypericoides Petals,    linear,    not    longer   than   the   sepals, 

spreading,  2  on  each  side,  approaching  one  another  in  the  form  of 
the  letter  X  or  the  cross  of  St.  Andrew.  A  lower  plant  than  the 
last,  with  narrower  and  thinner  leaves. 

Found  in  wet  or  dry  sand  in  Nantucket,  Massachusetts  to 
Florida,  and  far  westward.  In  mountains  of  Virginia,  2,800 
feet  high.     Low,  shrubby,  much  branched. 

Common  St.  John's-wort 
Hypericum   perforatum — Family,   St.    John's-wort.      Color,   yel- 
low.    Sepals,  5.     Petals,  5.     Stamens,  very  numerous,  united  in 

3  or  5  groups.  Styles,  3.  Pod,  3-celled.  Petals  and  anthers 
dotted  with  black.  A  much-branched,  leafy  stem,  with  runners 
starting  near  the  base,  and  many  flowers  in  a  flat  cluster.  Leaves, 
oblong  or  lance-shaped,  pellucid-dotted,  opposite,  sessile,  meeting 
and  almost  clasping  the  stem.     June  to  September. 

Very  common.  A  weed  when  once  established  difficult  to 
extirpate.  Juice  tart  and  blistering  to  the  mouth.  Where 
not  too  common  it  is  a  bright  and  attractive  plant.  Im- 
ported from  Europe. 

H.  adpressum. — Color,  yellow.  Sepals  and  petals,  5.  Stamens, 
many.  Flowers,  in  terminal  cymes,  leafy  near  the  base.  Leaves, 
long,  linear  to  oblong,  acute  at  apex,  thin,  dotted.  Stem,  simple, 
unbranched,  arising  from  a  woody  base,  2  or  4-edged  or  angled, 
about  18  inches  high.  Flowers,  rather  large  and  conspicuous. 
July  and  August. 

Near  the  coast,  moist,  sandy  shores,  Massachusetts  to 
Florida.      (See  illustration,  p.   187.) 

Pale  St.  John's-wort 

H.  elllpticum. — Petals,  pale  yellow.  Flowers,  few,  in  a  cyme 
which  has  few  or  no  leaves.  Leaves,  on  the  stem,  thin,  blunt, 
elliptical  to  oblong,  with  a  clasping  base.  8  to  20  inches  high. 
July  and  August. 

Wet  places  over  a  large  area  East  and  West. 

186 


common  st.  john's-wort    {Hypericum  adpressum) 

(See  page  186) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

H.  punctatum. — Petals,  pale  yellow,  marked  with  dots  or  lines 
of  a  darker  shade.  Flowers,  crowded  in  terminal  cymes.  Leaves, 
oblong  or  lance-shaped,  their  bases  almost  clasping,  conspicu- 
ously dotted  with  both  black  and  clear  dots.  Stem,  round.  A 
perennial  arising  from  a  woody  base.     July  to  September. 

We  are  likely  to  become  confused  with  the  many  slightly 
varying  species  of  St.  John's-worts.  Any  one  of  them  was 
in  the  eyes  of  maidens  of  an  older  time,  endowed  with  a  sort 
of  magical  power.  If  cultivated  successfully  in  a  garden, 
it  would  secure  a  husband  within  a  year.  Gathered  and  hung 
on  the  doors  on  the  eve  of  St.  John,  it  was  supposed  to  be  a 
protection  against  evil  spirits.  Common  from  Maine  to 
Florida  and  westward,  in  moist  soil. 

Great  St.  John's-wort 

H.  Ascyron. —  Color,  yellow.  Sepals,  petals,  styles,  5.  Many 
stamens  and  a  red  pod.  Flowers,  in  cymose  clusters,  2  inches 
across.  Leaves,  opposite,  dotted,  large,  3  to  5  inches  long,  clasp- 
ing or  sessile.      Height,  2  to  5  feet.     July. 

This  is  the  tallest  of  the  genus,  bearing  large,  showy  blos- 
soms. The  dots  in  the  leaves  can  be  easily  seen  by  holding 
them  to  the  light.  River-banks  in  all  the  Eastern  States 
and  far  into  the  interior. 

Weak  or  Dwarf  St.  John's-wort 

H.  mutilum. — Flowers,  small,  few,  yellow,  on  leafy  branches. 
Leaves,  opposite,  spreading,  5 -nerved,  meeting  and  clasping  on 
the  stem  below  the  weak  branches  from  which  the  cymes  of 
blossoms  arise.     6  to  20  inches  high.     July  and  August. 

Common  in  low,  moist  ground  from  Maine  to  Florida  and 
Texas.  Found  3,000  feet  high  in  mountains  of  Virginia. 
(See  illustration,  p.  189.) 

Canada  St.  John's-wort 

H.  canadense. — Color,  deep  yellow.  Sepals  and  petals,  as  in 
others  of  the  genus.  Stamens,  usually  about  12,  in  3  groups; 
sometimes  5  in  a  single  row.  Flowers,  in  leafless,  cymose  clusters, 
less  than  £  inch  across.  Pods,  reddish,  longer  than  the  calyx, 
pointed  at  top,  1 -celled.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  pointed,  3 -nerved 
at  base,  dotted.  Stems,  square,  straight,  upright,  6  to  15  inches 
high.     June  to  October. 

Wet  or  dry  soil  over  all  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States 
and  southward.     (See  illustration,  p.  191.) 


weak  or  dwarf  st.  john's-wort  {Hypericum   mutilum) 
(See  page  1 88 ) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

H.  virgktwn. — Color,  a  coppery  yellow.  Sepals,  leaf-like,  re- 
maining and  inclosing  the  ovoid  pod.  Stamens,  usually  in  3 
distinct  clusters.  Flowers,  scattered  on  the  erect  stems,  leafless, 
in  racemes.  Leaves,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  broad  at  base  and 
sessile,  almost  clasping  the  stem.  Branches  and  stem,  4-angled. 
1  to  2' feet  high.     July  to  September. 

Wet  pine  barrens  from  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia  and  west- 
ward. 

Orange  Grass.     Pineweed 

H.  gentUno\des.  —  Color,  deep  yellow.  Floivcrs,  small,  sessile 
on  the  wiry  branches,  but  easily  recognized  as  belonging  to  this 


ORANGE    GRASS. 


pineweed.     {Hypericum  gentianoides) 


genus  by  the  red  pods.     Leaves,  small,  thin,  linear,  pressed  against 
the  stem,  scale-like.     6  to  18  inches  high. 

WTide  range  East  and  West.     Very  common  in  sandy  soil, 

190 


Canada  ST.   joiin's-wokt   (Hypericum  canadense) 
I  Sec  page  iSS) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

along  roadsides  from  Maine  to  Florida  and  Texas ;  not  found 
beyond  the  Alleghany  Mountains.      (See  illustration,  p.  190.) 

Frostweed 

Helianthemum  canadense  (name  means  "sunflower,"  so  called 
because  the  flowers  open  only  in  sunshine). — Family,  Rockrose. 
Color,  yellow.  Sepals,  5,  2  of  them  long,  thin,  bract-like,  hairy 
or  whitish  and  downy.  Petals,  5,  sometimes  none.  Stamens, 
3  to  10,  or  numerous.  Pistil,  1,  with  a  3-lobed,  sessile  stigma. 
Stem,  very  hoary,  at  first  simple,  then  branched.  Leaves,  alter- 
nate above,  opposite  below,  simple,  numerous,  lance-shaped  to 
oblong,  hoary  underneath.  Large  petal-bearing  flowers,  bloom 
June  to  August. 

This  singular  plant  produces  two  kinds  of  blossoms,  the 
earlier  in  July,  a  large,  5-petaled  flower,  opening  only  in 
sunshine,  dropping  its  petals  the  next  day,  1  inch  across, 
with  many  stamens  lying  flat  against  the  petals.  The  pod 
is  i-celled,  with  numerous  seeds.  The  blossom,  resembling 
an  evening  primrose,  is  solitary  on  the  stem.  Later  in  the 
season — August  and  September — much  smaller  flowers  cluster 
in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  up  and  down  the  stem,  with  or  with- 
out petals,  with  3  to  10  stamens  and  very  small,  roundish,  few- 
seeded  pods,  giving  the  plant  an  entirely  different  appearance. 

The  plant  gets  its  name  from  the  curious  ice-crystals 
which  form  on  the  stem  near  the  root  in  November  on  frosty 
mornings. 

Mr.  Gibson  says  of  this  frost  flower  (Sharp  Eyes):  "It  is 
a  flower  of  ice-crystal  of  purest  white,  which  shoots  from 
the  stem,  bursting  the  bark  asunder,  and  fashioned  into  all 
sorts  of  whimsical,  feathery  curls  and  flanges  and  ridges. 
It  (the  crystal)  is  often  quite  small,  but  sometimes  attains 
three  inches  in  height  and  an  inch  or  more  in  width.  It  is 
said  to  be  a  crystallization  of  the  sap  of  the  plant,  but  the 
size  of  the  crystal  is  often  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  possible 
amount  of  sap  within  the  stem,  and  suggests  the  possibility 
that  the  stem  may  draw  extra  moisture  from  the  soil  for  this 
especial  occasion."  In  sandy  soil,  Maine  to  Minnesota  and 
southward. 

Hoary  Frostweed 

H.  mkjas. — Similar  to  the  last,  but  more  hoary  in  stem  and 
leaves.  Flowers,  pale  yellow,  clustered  in  corymbs  at  the  end 
of   the    stem.     Secondary    flowers    very    small,    without    petals, 

192 


BELLOW   GROUP 

clustered  in  the  leaf  -  axils,  producing  dark-brown  pods,  often 
found  growing  with  the  last  in  sandy  soil  with  same  range. 
First  flowers  appearing  in  June  and  July. 

The  frost  flowers  are  not  seen  upon  this  species. 

H,  coryrribosum.— This  is  a  species  peculiar  to  the  New  Jersey 
barrens  and  southward  along  the  coast.  The  flowers  of  both  kinds 
are  produced  together  in  clusters  at  the  summit  of  the  stem,  the 
petal-bearing  ones  small,  at  length  becoming  prominent  by  stand- 
ing out  on  long,  slender  pedicels.     6  to  12  inches  high. 

Very  white  and  woolly. 

Round-leaved  Violet.     Early  Yellow  Violet 

Viola,  rotundifolia.  —  Family,  Violet.  Color,  yellow.  Flowers, 
on  scapes  2  to  4  inches  high,  ascending  from  rootstocks  which  are 
rough  with  the  remains  of  former  leaves.  Petals,  of  a  pale  yellow, 
the  3  lower  ones  marked  with  brownish  lines,  the  lateral  bearded. 
Leaves,  ovate  to  roundish,  heart-shaped,  crenate,  smooth,  shiny, 
at  flowering  season  1  to  2  inches  broad,  on  short  petioles.  Later 
they  become  larger,  3  or  4  inches  broad,  and  lie  prone  upon  the 
ground.  One  often  finds  these  leaves  in  summer  carpeting  the 
woods,  without  associating  them  with  the  dear  little  violet  thai 
accompanies  them  in  spring.     May  and  June. 

Cold  woods,  rocky  hillsides,  Maine  to  Delaware,  in  the 
mountains  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Later  cleistogamous  flowers  appear  on  short  runners. 
Downy  Yellow  Violet 

V.  pubescens. — Color,  yellow,  the  petals  purplish-veined.  This 
is  one  of  the  leafy  violets,  and  the  flowers  stand,  one  or  more, 
above  a  pair  of  leaves,  not  large,  softly  yellow.  Stem,  downy, 
rather  rough,  5  to  18  inches  high.  Leaves,  broad,  generally  2  on 
the  stem,  with  a  bract  or  two  below,  otherwise  the  stem  is  naked. 
Basal  leaves  have  long  petioles,  are  broadly  ovate  or  roundish, 
kidney-shaped,  softly  hairy  about  the  edges  and  petioles.  Flowers, 
without  petals,  can  be  found  later  in  the  season  on  short  peduncles. 

A  beautiful  spring  flower,  growing  abundantly,  often  in 
large,  close  patches.  The  plant  gives  an  impression  of  much 
green  and  little  color.  Dry,  cold  woods,  western  New  Eng- 
land south  to  Georgia,  and  westward. 

Bryant's  "first  flower  of  spring"  is  the  yellow  violet. 

"When  beechen  buds  begin  to  swell, 

And  woods  the  bluebird's  warble  know, 
The  yellow  violet's  modest  bell 

Peeps  from  the  last  year's  leaves  below." 
193 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Prickly  Pear.     Indian  Fig 

Opuntia  vulgaris — Family,  Cactus.  Color,  pale  yellow.  Sepals, 
indefinite.  Petals,  about  8,  united  with  the  sepals  into  a  short 
tube,  which  is  attached  to  the  top  of  the  i -celled  ovary.  Flowers, 
about  2  inches  broad.  Stamens,  many,  their  filaments  long  and 
slender.  Pistil,  i,  forming  in  fruit  a  fleshy,  pear-shaped,  edible 
berry,  i  inch  long.  Leaves,  very  small,  pale  green,  ^  inch  long, 
awl-shaped,  with  barbs  or  prickles  in  their  axils,  arranged  spirally 
on  the  fleshy,  flattened,  jointed  stems. 

The  flowers  lie  close  to  the  flattened  branches.  Clusters 
of  short,  greenish-yellow  bristles  underlie  them  and  spring  up 
in  the  leaf  -  axils.  The  branches  grow  irregularly  out  of 
one  another,  2  to  4  inches  long,  oval  in  shape. 

0.  Rafinesquiu — This  is  the  only  other  Eastern  species,  with 
longer  jointed,  deeper  green  branches,  and  larger  flowers  and  fruit. 
The  flowers  often  have  a  reddish  center.  Bristles  reddish  brown, 
otherwise  much  like  the  last. 

Both  species  grow  on  sandy  soil  or  on  flat  rocks.  Among 
the  hills  of  New  Jersey  they  attain  great  perfection,  the 
pedestrian  coming  sometimes  upon  a  large,  flat  rock  cov- 
ered with  the  yellow  beauties  basking  in  the  direct  heat 
which  they  love  so  well.  They  are  also  found  near  the  shore 
from  Nantucket  to  South  Carolina,  in  sandy  soil. 

The  cactus  is  essentially  a  desert  plant,  adapted  by  its 
habit  of  patient,  slow  growth,  its  succulent  branches  wherein 
moisture  is  stored,  and  its  leathery  skin  and  few  breathing- 
pores  which  prevent  evaporation,  for  life  in  arid  regions, 
where  nothing  else  can  grow. 

Some  species  bear  edible,  luscious  fruit.  Upon  one — a 
native  of  Mexico — the  cochineal  insect  is  fed,  giving  rise  to 
a  large  industry.  In  Arizona  the  fruit  of  one  species  of 
cactus  is  thrown  into  the  fire  till  the  bristles  are  burned  ofT. 
It  is  then  chopped  open  and  fed  to  cattle.  So  juicy  is  this 
fruit  that  it  supplies  drink  as  well  as  food  for  the  animals  in 
places  where  water  is  often  scarce  and  procured  with  diffi- 
culty.    The  famous  night-blooming  cereus  is  a  cactus. 

Seedbox.     Rattlebox 

Lud<vigia  alternifblia. — Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color,  yel- 
low. Calyx -tube,  short,  with  4  lance -shaped  or  ovate,  leaf- 
like lobes.  Petals,  4,  in  the  upper  axils,  on  short  peduncles, 
rather  large,  dropping  when  the  plant  is  shaken.     Stamens,  4. 

194 


YELLOW   GROUP 

Fruit,  a  4-square,  box-like  capsule,  with  rounded  base  and  winged 
angles,  in  which  the  ripe  seeds  rattle.  Leaves,  sessile,  linear  or 
lance-shaped,  pointed  at  both  ends.  A  smooth,  erect  stem  2  to 
3  £  feet  high  arises  from  fascicled,  sometimes  tuberous,  roots.  June 
to  September. 

Swamps  or  low,  shady,  wet  woods,  from  Maine  to  Florida 
and  Texas. 

L.  hirtella. — A  hairy  form,  smaller  in  flowers  and  leaves,  1  to  2 
feet  high,  with  clustered  roots  which  are  often  thickened  and 
tuberous.  Leaves,  blunt  at  both  ends,  or  pointed  at  apex,  lance- 
shaped.     June  to  September. 

In  wet  pine  barrens,  New  Jersey  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

L.  linearis  bears  small  flowers,  single,  in  axils  of  very  narrow, 
linear  leaves,  sessile,  later  producing  rather  large  capsules.  Calyx- 
tube  angled,  bearing  at  top  triangularly  -  shaped  lobes,  shorter 
than  the  petals,  which  are  a  pale  greenish  yellow.  12  to  30 
inches  high.     July  to  September. 

Swamps,  pine  barrens  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

Common  Evening  Primrose 

Oenothera  biennis, — Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color,  bright 
yellow.  Calyx-tube,  4-lobed  at  top,  narrow,  much  prolonged  be- 
yond the  ovary.  Petals,  4.  Stamens,  8.  Fruit,  a.  4-valved  cap- 
sule. Leaves,  alternate,  long,  narrow  or  oblong,  pointed,  the 
lowest  on  petioles. 

The  evening  primroses  may  be  known  by  a  long  calyx- 
tube,  at  the  end  of  which  is  the  flower.  The  flowers  are  short- 
lived, and  are  followed  by  rough  pods  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  spike.  Hence,  though  a  showy  flower,  generously  bright- 
ening dry  and  dusty  places,  the  aspect  of  the  whole  plant  is 
coarse  and  unfinished.  The  flowers  open  at  sunset  and  on 
cloudy  days,  and  wither  the  next  morning.  In  September 
they  remain  open  all  day. 

The  stem  is  stout  and  hairy,  1  to  5  feet  high.  These 
blossoms  are  fertilized  by  night-flying  insects,  whose  keen 
eyes  see  the  golden  blossoms  in  the  darkness,  and  whose  keen 
sense  of  smell  is  attracted  by  their  delicate  fragrance.  (See 
illustration,  p.  196.) 

Sundrops 

0.  frutiebsa. — Flower,  nearly  as  in  the  preceding.  The  calyx- 
lobes  turn  back.     Pod,  4-angled,  on  a  short,  thick  stalk.     Leaves, 

C9S 


common   evening   primrose   {Oenothera  biennis) 
(See  page  195) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

alternate,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  generally  acute  al   apex,  nar- 
rowed and  sessile  at  base.     Those  at  base  sometimes  have  short 

petioles.     June  to  August. 

A  variable  species,  from  i  to  3  feet  tall,  with  delicate, 
lemon-colored,  large  flowers,  slightly  fragrant,  in  loose  or 
corymbic  clusters.  The  flowers  open  by  day  and  close  at 
night.  In  diy  fields  and  sandy  soil  from  New  England  to 
Georgia  and  westward. 

0.  pumila.  is  a  smaller  species,  with  pods  less  winged,  and  with 
entire,  blunt-pointed  leaves,  narrow  at  the  base.  1  to  2  feet  high. 
Flowers,  in  a  loose,  leafy  spike.      June  to  August. 

The  evening  primroses  of  the  Eastern  States  are  all  yell  >w. 
Two  white  or  rose-colored  species  are  found  west  of  Kentucky 
and  Missouri.  Dry  fields.  From  northern  New  England  to 
Georgia  and  westward. 

Ta.en.idia.  integerrima — Family,  Parsley.  Color,  yellow.  Flow- 
ers, 'in  umbels  on  slender  peduncles,  the  pods  becoming  long- 
stalked.  Few  or  no  involucral  bracts  underneath.  Leaves,  twice 
or  thrice  compound,  rather  large,  the  petioles  of  those  above 
swollen  at  base.  Leaflets,  ovate  or  narrow,  tipped  with  a  small 
bristle  at  apex.     Smooth  plants,  1  to  3  feet  high. 

In  dry,  rocky  woods,  sandy  soil,  from  New  England  to 
North  Carolina  and  westward. 

Golden  Meadow  Parsnip 

Thaspium   aureum Family,     Parsley.      Color,     deep    yellow. 

Flowers,  in  compound  umbels,  large  and  handsome.     The  fruit, 
maturing  in  August  or  September,  is  pedicelled,  angled,  with  style 
present.     Leaves,    those    from    the    root    heart-shaped,    toothed; 
those  on  the  stem  3 -divided,  the  leaflets  roundish  or  ovate,  ser- 
rate.    Stem,  smooth  and  stout.     Summer. 

Open  woods  and  thickets  in  Middle  and  Southern  States. 
Meadow  Parsnip 

T.  barbinode.— Color,  pale  yellow.  Leaves,  twice  or  thrice  com- 
pound, alternate;  those  near  the  base  less  divided  than  those 
higher  up  on  the  stem.  Leaflets,  long,  narrow,  somewhat  ovate, 
coarsely  toothed.  Tall,  2  to  4  feel  high,  with  umbels  of  yellow 
flowers  and  rather  large  seeds.  Soft,  line  hairs  grow  along  the 
joints  of  the  stem  and  among  the  (lowers.      May  and  June. 

River-banks  and  along  streams  from  New  York  t..  Minne- 
sota and  southward. 

■"7 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Golden  Alexanders 
Zizia  aurea  (named  from  a  botanist,  I.  B.  Ziz). — Family,  Parsley. 
Color,  golden  yellow.  Flowers,  rather  large  for  this  family,  in 
compound  umbels.  Stem,  erect,  hollow,  branched,  2  to  3  feet 
high.  Lower  leaves,  long-petioled,  heart-shaped  at  base;  those 
on  stem  divided  into  3  stalked  leaflets,  each  leaflet  ovate  or  oval, 
undivided,  serrate  all  around,  the  petiole  clasping  the  stem  with 
enlarged  base;  those  still  higher  up  near  the  flower, sessile.  May 
and  June. 

A  bright  flower,  not  uncommon  in  rich,  moist  woods  and 
along  river-banks  from  Connecticut  to  Georgia,  west  to  Minne- 
sota, Arkansas,  and  Texas.  Found  3,500  feet  high  in  Virginia. 
Wild  Parsnip 

Pa.stina.ca.  satvva. — Family,  Parsley.  Color,  yellow.  No  in- 
volucre under  the  umbels  of  yellow  flowers.  Leaves,  pinnately 
compound.     Stem,  stout,  tall,  smooth,  grooved. 

This  is  the  cultivated  parsnip,  now  escaped  from  gardens 
and  found  in  a  wild  state  everywhere.  It  is  fed  to  cattle, 
especially  in  Europe,  where  the  root  is  said  sometimes  to 
reach  the  length  of  4  feet.      Rich  soil  in  open,  waste  places. 

Whorled  Loosestrife.     Crosswort 

Lysimkchia  quadrifolia — Family,  Primrose.  Color,  deep  yel- 
low, spotted  or  lined  with  red.  Calyx,  5  or  6 -parted.  Corolla, 
wheel-shaped,  deeply  parted,  axillary,  on  long,  slender  peduncles. 
Leaves,  generally  in  whorls  of  fours,  sessile,  occasionally  a  pair 
opposite,  with  leaflets  oblong  to  lance-shaped,  pointed  at  apex, 
black-dotted,  smooth.     June  to  August. 

The  flowering  stem  presents  a  regular  appearance.  4 
leaves,  rarely  5,  or  less,  grow  at  even  distances  in  whorls 
along  the  stem,  and  2  or  more  star-shaped  blossoms,  small, 
on  long,  thread-like  peduncles,  spring  from  the  leaf-axils. 
1  to  2  feet  high.  Its  symmetry  and  slight  color  make  it 
pleasing.  In  moist  or  sandy  soil,  in  thickets  or  along  road- 
sides. New  Brunswick  to  Minnesota,  south  to  Georgia. 
(See  illustration,  p.  199.) 

L.  terrestris.  —  Color,  yellow,  with  dark  markings.  Flowers, 
much  like  the  last,  but  in  their  inflorescence  they  differ,  being 
collected  in  long,  terminal,  bracted  racemes.  On  slender  pedicels, 
but  shorter  than  the  preceding.  Fruit,  a  round  pod.  Leaves, 
opposite,  long,  narrow,  broader  at  base,  acute  at  apex,  black- 

198 


wiiorled  loosestrife  (Lysimachia  quadrifolia) 
(Sec  page  i'i-i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

dotted.  Stem,  i  to  2  feet  high,  straight,  smooth,  branched  above, 
bearing  numerous  flowers  in  the  terminal  raceme.  Tiny  bulbs 
often  occur  in  the  leaf-axils.     July  to  September. 

The  moneywort  of  our  gardens,  sometimes  called  yellow 
myrtle,  belongs  to  this  genus.  It  grows  trailing  on  the 
ground,  with  roundish,  bright-green  leaves  and  yellow  blos- 
soms. It  escapes  from  gardens  and  becomes  wild  in  fence- 
corners  and  fields.  A  bright  flower,  of  low  meadows, 
swamps,  and  moist  thickets.  Newfoundland  south  to 
Georgia  and  Arkansas. 

Fringed  Loosestrife 

Steironema  ciliatum — Family,  Primrose.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx 
and  corolla  united  below,  deeply  5 -parted  above,  the  divisions 
spreading.  Flowers,  on  long,  filiform  peduncles,  grouped  with 
small  leaves,  axillary,  opposite.  Leaves,  opposite,  often  so  close 
together  as  to  seem  whorled,  ovate  or  oblong,  sharply  pointed  at 
apex,  rounded  or  inclined  to  be  heart-shaped  at  base,  all  on  long, 
hairy-fringed  petioles,  their  margins  slightly  fringed .  June  to  August . 

Low  grounds  and  moist  thickets  from  Nova  Scotia  south 
to  Georgia,  west  to  Arizona.  Found  6,300  feet  high  in 
mountains  of  North  Carolina. 

Butterfly-weed.     Pleurisy-root 

Asdepias  tuberosa — Family,  Milkweed.  Color,  yellow,  a  deep- 
orange  shade.  Flowers,  in  terminal  umbels  or  scattered  along 
the  branches.  Leaves,  rough,  hairy,  sessile,  or  with  short  petioles, 
linear  to  ovate.  Grayish  pods  are  produced  which  are  pedicelled 
and  conspicuous.     June  to  August. 

The  only  yellow  species  of  this  genus.  It  grows  freely  in 
clumps  with  rough  and  hairy  stem  and  leaves,  1  to  2  feet 
tall.  Brilliant  and  beautiful,  it  colors  the  fields,  especially 
southward,  with  orange.  Its  juice  is  not  milky.  Dry  fields 
and  roadsides.      (See  illustration,  p.  201.) 

Common  Gromwell 

Lithospermum    officinale Family,    Borage.     Color,    yellowish 

or  white.      (See  chapter  on  White  Flowers,  p.  119.) 

L.  Gmelini. — Color,  yellow.  Calyx  and  corolla,  tubular,  with 
spreading,  divided  border.  Flowers,  large,  showy,  all  with  pe- 
duncles in  terminal  spikes,  leafy-bracteoV  Leaves  and  stem, 
bristly-rough.     April  to  June. 

Pine  barrens  and  wet,  sandy  ground  from  New  York  to 
Minnesota  and  southward. 


/i*SK&fr  estate 


butterfly-weed   (. -1  m  I.  pins  tuberosa) 

(Si'c  page  200) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

False  Gromwell 

Onosmbdium  <virginiknum — Family,  Borage.  Color,  greenish 
yellow.  The  5  long,  narrow  lobes  of  the  tubular  corolla  are 
bristly  on  the  outside.  Stamens,  5,  with  somewhat  arrow-shaped, 
pointed  anthers.  Pistil,  with  a  thread-like,  projecting  style. 
Fruit,  4  one-seeded  nutlets.  Leaves,  rough,  about  2  inches  long, 
narrow,  the  lower  tapering  at  base,  sessile,  with  parallel  veins. 
Racemes  of  flowers  terminal,  at  first,  like  most  of  this  genus, 
curled  under,  straightening  as  the  flowers  unfold.     Summer. 

Dry  banks  and  rocky  hills,  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

Giant  Hyssop 
.  Agastache  nepetotdes. —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  pale  greenish 
yellow.  Calyx,  bell-shaped,  with  5  unequal  teeth.  Corolla, 
2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  2-lobed,  lower  3-divided,  with  the  middle 
lobe  wavy,  toothed.  Stamens,  4,  in  pairs,  which  cross  one  an- 
other. Flowers,  in  terminal  spikes,  2  to  6  inches  long,  thickly  in- 
terspersed with  long,  pointed  bracts.  Leaves,  coarsely  toothed, 
petioled,  ovate,  acute. 

A  very  tall  mint,  6  feet  high  or  less,  with  a  stout,  smooth, 
sharply  4-angled  stem.  Vermont  to  North  Carolina,  west 
to  Texas. 

Horse  Mint 

Monarda  punctata Family,    Mint.      Color,    yellow,    spotted 

with  purple.  Calyx,  tubular,  downy,  especially  hairy  in  throat, 
with  short  teeth.  Corolla,  tubular,  its  limb  2-divided,  the  upper 
lip  long,  narrow,  arching  over  the  stamens,  deeply  spotted  with 
purple;  the  lower  unequally  3-divided,  spreading.  Flowers,  in 
heads  or  clusters,  axillary  or  terminal,  surrounded  by  and  mixed 
with  floral  bracts  which  are  more  showy  than  the  flower,  yellow 
and  purple.  Stem,  perennial,  rough,  hairy,  2  to  3  feet  high. 
Leaves,  lance-shaped  or  linear,  acute  at  both  ends,  petioled,  dis- 
tantly serrate.  Small  ones,  sessile,  are  clustered  in  the  axils  of 
the  larger  ones.     July  to  October. 

Dry  fields,  open  woods  from  Long  Island  and  southern 
New  York  to  Florida,  and  westward  to  Wisconsin  and 
Texas. 

Horse  Balm.     Stone-root.     Rich-weed 

Collinsbnia  canadensis Family,    Mint.     Color,    lemon   yellow. 

Calyx,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  3 -toothed,  the  lower  2 -cleft.  Corolla, 
1  inch  long,  tubular,  with  4  upper,  almost  equal  lobes,  and  1  lower, 
quite  long  and  large,  pendent,  cut  and  fringed.  Stamens,  2, 
sometimes  4,   standing  well   out   from   the  flower.     Flowers,  on 


YELLOW   GROUP 

slender  pedicels,  in  loose,  long  panicles,  showy.     Leaves,  opp> 
ovate,  toothed,  pointed,  petioled.     July  to  September. 

Whole  plant  strongly  lemon-scented.  Perennial,  i  to  3 
feet  high,  in  rich,  moist,  shady  woods,  in  all  the  Atlantic 
States  and  westward  to  Wisconsin  and  Missouri. 

Strawberry  Tomato.  Ground  Cherry 
Physalis  pruinbsa. — Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx, 
5-toothed,  ribbed  and  angled,  becoming  much  swollen  and  cov- 
ering the  fruit,  which  is  a  small,  tomato-like,  yellow  berry,  edible, 
somewhat  used  for  making  jam.  Corolla,  funnel-form,  the  limb 
wheel-shaped,  with  5  divisions.  Anthers,  yellow,  tinged  with 
purple.  Plant,  hairy  and  viscid.  Leaves,  rather  large,  pointed, 
heart-shaped  at  base,  indented,  with  wavy  outlines  between  the 
strong  teeth,  on  long,  hairy  petioles.     July  to  September. 

Springing  up  in  cultivated  soil,  near  the  coast,  from 
Massachusetts  and  Long  Island,  south  to  Florida.  There 
are  several  species,  most  of  which  grow  farther  south  than 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  mostly  in  dry  or  sandy  ground. 

Tomatillo 

P.  ixocarpa  bears  purple  fruit,  and  is  often  cultivated.  Intro- 
duced from  the  Southwest.  Corolla,  yellowish  or  greenish,  darker 
in  the  center. 

Clammy  Ground  Cherry 

P.  heierophylla. — This  is  the  most  common  as  well  as  variable 
of  the  genus.  The  plant  is  weak,  and  the  branches  spread,  lying 
close  to  the  ground  or  standing  more  erect.  Corolla,  greenish 
yellow,  and  berry  yellow.  Leaves,  somewhat  triangular  in  shape, 
deeply  toothed,  with  hairy  petioles.     Plant,  hairy,  rank-scented. 

One  or  two  of  these  plants  spring  up  in  my  garden  on 
Long  Island  every  year,  and,  if  let  alone,  grow  to  great  size, 
3  or  4  feet  in  diameter.  Where  do  they  come  from?  They 
have  never  been  planted,  and  the  neighbors  do  not  have 
them.      In  cultivated  soil  along  the  coast. 

Black  Henbane 
Hyoscyamus  ntger. — Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  dull  brown- 
ish yellow,  marked  with  purple  veins.  Calyx,  bell-shaped,  5- 
lobed.  Corolla,  with  a  5-lobed,  plaited  border,  the  tube  funnel- 
form.  Capsule,  surrounded  by  the  calyx,  opens  by  means  of  a 
round  lid  near  the  top.  Flowers,  sessile,  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves, 
in   1 -sided,  leafy  spikes.     Leaves,  oblong  in  outline,  deeply  nil  or 

203 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

lobed,  acute,  sessile,  the  upper  clasping  the  stem,  hairy  along  the 
midrib. 

A  rank-scented,  poisonous  plant.  One  of  its  common 
names,  insane-root,  would  indicate  that  eating  of  its  root 
might  produce  insanity.  In  waste  places,  sandy  soil,  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  New  York  and  westward  to  Michigan. 

Common  Mullein 
Verbascum  Thapsus. — Family,  Figwort.     Color,  yellow.     Corolla 
and  calyx,    5 -parted.     Flowers,  in  terminal,   thick  spikes,   much 
crowded.     Leaves,  thick,  velvety,  long,  acute,  alternate. 

A  well-known,  tall,  excessively  woolly  plant  with  heavy 
spikes  of  large  blossoms.  The  leaves  run  down  the  main 
stem,  producing  wings.  The  flowers  last  only  a  day.  In 
dry  fields  or  waste  places;  a  weed.  I  have  seen  this  plant 
cherished  in  pots  in  houses  in  Germany,  under  the  name 
of  the  "American  velvet  plant,"  and  have  been  called  upon 
to  admire  the  extremely  soft,  beautiful  leaves. 

Moth  Mullein 

V.  Blattkria  (see  in  chapter  on  White  Flowers,  p.  124). — Color, 
white  or  yellow. 

V.  Lychndis. — Color,  yellow  or  white.     (See  p.  124.) 

Butter-and-eggs.  Ramstead.  Toadflax 
Linaria  •vulgaris* — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  yellow  and  orange. 
Corolla,  2-lipped  with  the  throat  closed  by  a  projection  of  the  lip 
called  a  palate.  The  lower  lip  has  a  long,  slender  spur.  Flowers, 
in  racemes,  growing  closely  together.  They  have  a  fragrance 
suggestive  of  a  dairy.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  entire,  sessile,  nu- 
merous.    Stem,  sometimes  thick  and  fleshy.     Summer. 

A  weed  in  many  grounds,  growing  in  dry  soil  in  fields  and 
along  roadsides. 

Golden  Hedge  Hyssop 

Gratibla  aurea. — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  deep  yellow.  Calyx- 
divisions  toothed,  leaf-like.  Corolla  of  the  snapdragon  type,  the 
upper  lip  2-cleft,  the  under  3-lobed.  There  are  2  perfect  and  2 
sterile  stamens.  2  bracts  under  the  calyx.  Leaves,  ovate  or  ob- 
long, broad  at  base  where  they  clasp  the  branches,  serrate  at 
apex.  Flowers,  in  the  leaf-axils  of  the  smooth,  delicate,  weak 
branches  which  grow  upright  from  creeping  stems,  6  to  18  inches 
long.     June  to  September. 

A  bright,  pretty  plant,  growing  in  mats  or  tufts  on  the 

204 


downy  false  foxglove  (Gerdrdia  fiava) 

'Sec  pa^c  206) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

edges  of  Long  Island  fresh-water  bays,  and  on  banks  of 
brooks,  often  quite  in  water,  blossoming  all  summer.  Swamps 
or  wet,  sandy  shores  from  Maine  to  Virginia  and  westward. 

G.  <virginikna.  —  Color  of  corolla,  in  tube  yellowish,  in  limb 
white.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  127.) 

Downy  False  Foxglove 

"  The  foxgloves  and  the  fern — 
How  gracefully  they  grow, 
With  grand  old  oaks  above  them 
And  wavy  grass  below!" 

Gerardia  fla<va — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  the 
lower  often  deeply  and  irregularly  cut;  upper  entire,  oblong,  or 
lance-like.  A  beautiful,  bell-like  flower,  large,  with  a  tubular, 
5-clcft,  short  calyx,  and  5  broad,  spreading,  rounded  corolla-lobes 
ending  a  long,  somewhat  inflated  tube  which  is  woolly  inside.  The 
corolla  slips  easily  off  its  receptacle.  The  4  stamens,  their  anthers 
nodding  toward  one  another  in  pairs,  are  bearded.  Plant  2  to  4 
feet  high.  The  buds  are  especially  pretty,  often  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  pink  in  their  round  heads.  July  and  August.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  205.) 

Smooth  False  Foxglove 

G,  virginica  is  taller,  3  to  6  feet,  and  lacks  the  pubescence  of 
the  preceding.  The  showy,  large  blossoms  (2  inches  long)  mingle 
with  graceful  foliage,  the  lower  leaves  twice  cut  into  fine  divisions, 
the  upper  lance-shaped  and  entire. 

Both  the  downy  and  smooth  may  sometimes  be  found 
together  on  hillsides  or  in  light,  thin  woods.  Picked,  they 
afford  little  satisfaction,  because  the  leaves  and  stems  quickly 
turn  black.     Root  parasitic. 

Yellow  Gerardia 

G.  pedicularia  is  a  leafy,  branching  species,  2  or  3  feet  high. 
The  leaves  are  very  much  cut,  with  dissected  and  toothed  lobes, 
the  lower  large,  the  upper  quite  small.  The  stems  bearing  the 
pretty  yellow  bells  are  longer  than  the  calyx-lobes.  The  latter 
are  irregularly  cut  and  hairy.  The  corolla  is  sticky  on  the  out- 
side.    August  and  September. 

This  graceful,  handsome  herb  is  found  in  light  woods  along 
our  entire  Atlantic  border.  Some  such  spots  in  Long 
Island  are  colored  yellow  with  masses  of  these  foxgloves. 
(See  illustration,  p.  207.) 

206 


A 


yellow   gerardia    (Gcrardia   pcdicularia) 
(See  page  206) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Cow  Wheat 

MeUmpyrum  linekre  (name  means  ''black  wheat,"  from  the 
dark  seed). — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  greenish  white  and  yellow. 
Calyx  and  corolla,  tubular,  the  calyx  with  bristly,  rather  long 
teeth,  the  corolla  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  cream  or  dull  white, 
arched,  covering  the  stamens;  lower  3-lobed,  nearly  h  inch  long, 
yellow.  Flowers,  toward  the  top,  single,  in  the  leaf-axils. 
Stamens,  4.  Pistil,  1.  Leaves,  opposite,  linear  or  lance-shaped, 
very  pointed  at  apex,  rounded  or  truncate  at  base,  on  short 
petioles.  Those  below  entire;  those  among  the  flowers  having  2 
to  6  pointed,  almost  bristly  teeth  at  their  base.      May  to  August. 

Open  woods,  in  dry  soil  from  Nova  Scotia  south  to  Georgia, 
west  to  Minnesota.  One  of  our  commonest  plants  of  thin 
woods,  including  pine  woods;  low,  shrubby,  branched,  with 
flowers  and  floral  leaves  hardly  to  be  distinguished  from 
one  another  in  color  (leaves  being  pale  yellowish  green), 
crowded  toward  the  top  of  the  stem. 

Lousewort 

Pedicutkris  tanceolkta — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  yellow.  Calyx, 
2-lobed,  the  lobes  with  leafy  margins.  Corolla,  2-divided,  the 
upper  division  helmet-shaped,  called  a  galea,  deeply  arched,  nearly 
meeting  the  straight,  ascending  lower  lip.  Flowers,  in  crowded, 
leafy  spikes.  Stem,  simple  or  branched,  1  to  3  feet  high,  erect, 
stout.  Leaves,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  2  to  5  inches  long,  pin- 
nately  lobed,  the  lobes  sharply  toothed.  Floral  leaves  bract-like. 
A  species  taller  than  the  common  wood  betony,  which  it  resembles 
in  both  leaves  and  flower-spikes.     August  and  September. 

A  swamp  species,  from  Massachusetts  to  Virginia,  west- 
ward to  Ohio  and  Nebraska. 

Wood  Betony 

P.  canadensis  (see  under  Variegated  Flowers,  p.  374.) 

Yellow  Rattle 

Rhinanthus    Crista -gatti Family,     Figwort.     Color,     yellow. 

Calyx,  4-toothed,  much  swollen  in  fruit.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  a 
small,  horizontal  purple  tooth  each  side  of  the  apex  of  the  upper 
lip.  Lower  lip  3-lobed,  its  lobes  spreading,  about  \  inch  long. 
Seeds,  when  ripe,  broadly  winged.  They  rattle  in  the  enlarged, 
dry  calyx,  whence  the  popular  name.  Flowers,  crowded  in  1 -sided 
spikes,  nearly  sessile.  Leaves,  opposite,  linear,  coarsely  toothed, 
the  floral  leaves  bristly-tipped.     Plant  turns  black  in  drying. 

Near   the   coast   in   New   England.      In   dry,   sandy   soil. 

208 


YELLOW    GROUP 

The  plant  may  be  identified  by  fine,  black  lines  along  the 
stem,  also  by  the  violet  teeth  of  the  upper  lip  of  corolla, 
while  upon  the  lower  lip  there  is  a  black  spot  near  the 
base. 

Chaff-seed 

Schcwalbea  americana. — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  yellowish  pur- 
ple.     (See  chapter  on  Purple  Flowers,  p.  350.) 

Common  Bladderwort 

Utricularia  'vulgaris. —  Family,  Bladderwort.  Color,  bright 
yellow.  Leaves,  under  water,  finely  cut,  bearing  little  bladders. 
Summer. 

The  bladderworts  are  insectivorous,  aquatic  plants.  The 
bladders  scattered  among  the  leaves  serve  two  purposes — to 
float  the  plant  at  time  of  flowering  and  to  entrap  minute 
water-animal  food. 

In  U.  vulgaris  the  bladders  are  large.  They  are  furnished 
with  a  hinged  lid,  and  with  hairs  turning  inward,  so  as  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  a  larva  which  may  have  ventured 
within  the  mouth  of  the  bladder.  It  is  said  that  the  hairs 
keep  up  a  wavy  motion  and  so  create  a  sort  of  current  which 
sucks  the  creature  in  if  it  ventures  near  these  traps. 

The  bright  yellow  blossom,  coming  to  the  water's  surface 
on  a  scape  7  foot  long,  has  a  2-lipped  corolla,  like  some  of  the 
figworts.  The  leaves  are  very  much  dissected,  and  when 
first  pulled  up  hang  stringily  together.  Take  this  unpromis- 
ing plant  home,  place  it  in  a  basin  of  water,  pick  off  the 
mud  and  slime  that  cling  to  it,  and  you  have  a  beautiful 
botanical  specimen.  Slip  the  pressing-paper  under  while  in 
the  water,  and  dry  with  several  thicknesses  of  paper. 

U.  subulata  is  a  very  small  species.  A  short  scape,  3  or  4  inches 
high,  bears  yellow  blossoms,  half  a  dozen  or  so,  on  hair  -  like 
pedicels.     The  leaves  are  grass-like,  not  dissected. 

U.  inflata. — In  this  species  the  otherwise  naked  flower-stalk 
bears,  about  the  middle,  a  whorl  ot  5  to  9  leaves  whose  petioles  are 
swollen  and  bladder-like,  tipped  with  finely  dissected  leaf-blades, 
1  to  2  inches  long.  These  are  very  strange  looking  leaves,  but 
the  swollen  petioles,  with  bladders  plentifully  interspersed,  make 
the  plant  float  freely  and  bring  the  flowers  to  the  top.  Lower 
leaves   finely    dissected,    bearing   small    bladders.     Upper   lip   of 

209 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

corolla    large,    helmet  -  shaped.     Flowers,   3    to    10,    in    irregular 
racemes  at  ends  of  branches.     July  to  September. 

In  ponds,  coves,  and  still  water  from  Maine  to  Texas,  near 
the  coast.  I  have  found  this  bright  -  flowered  species  in 
Greenwood  Lake,  New  Jersey,  near  the  shore,  its  yellow 
flowers  dotting  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Horned  Bladderwort 

U.  cornuta. — The  yellow,  fragrant  flowers  of  this  species  differ 
from  most  of  the  others  in  that  the  lower  lip  of  the  corolla  is  the 
larger,  helmet-like,  the  upper  being  long,  narrow,  erect.  Spur, 
long,  curved  downward.  Flower-stalk  stout,  straight,  with  few 
or  no  leaves  and  few  bladders.  Leaves,  when  they  do  occur, 
entire.  Scape  reaches  the  top  of  the  water  for  flowering,  3  to 
14  inches  high,  rooted  in  bogs  or  the  muddy  shores  of  ponds. 
May  to  September. 

Newfoundland  to  Ontario  and  Minnesota,  south  to  Florida 
and  Texas.  There  are  one  or  two  purple-flowered  species  which 
will  be  noticed. 

Squaw-root.     Cancer-root 

Conopholis  americkna.  —  Family,  Broom  -  rape.  Color,  pale, 
tawny  yellow.  Corolla,  2 -lipped,  tubular,  enlarged  at  base. 
Upper  lip  concave,  notched;  lower,  3-parted,  open.  Calyx,  4  to 
5 -toothed,  its  tube  split  down  on  one  side,  2  bractlets  growing  at 
the  base.  No  leaves,  but  stem  covered  with  yellowish,  fleshy 
scales,  suggesting  a  cone,  from  which  the  generic  name  is  derived. 
Parasitic,  growing  mostly  among  the  decaying,  fallen  leaves 
of  oaks,  3  to  6  inches  high.  Stem  as  thick  as  a  man's  thumb, 
fleshy.     Curious,  as  all  of  this  family,  but  possessing  no  beauty. 

Golden  Aster 

Chrysopsis  fatcata. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  golden  yellow. 
Both  disk  and  ray  flowers  present,  the  disk  flowers  pistillate, 
both  deep  yellow.  Flowers,  large,  resembling  asters,  in  loose 
corymbs  at  ends  of  branches.  Leaves,  stiff,  entire,  narrow,  long, 
sessile,  alternate,  crowded  irregularly  on  the  stem,  hairy  or 
smooth,  often  curved  and  scythe-shaped.  The  plant  may  be 
rather  delicate  in  stem  and  leaves,  or  it  may  be  rough,  woolly, 
thickened,  and  misshapen.     8  to  10  inches  high.    July  and  August. 

In  sandy  soil  from  Massachusetts  to  New  Jersey.  In 
pine  barrens.     Common.     (See  illustration,  p.  211.) 

Maryland  Golden  Aster 

C  mariana.  —  Frequently  found  growing  with  the  above,  a 
smooth,  silky  plant,  with  broader,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  acute 

210 


golden   aster   (Chrysopsis  falcata) 
(See  page  210) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

And  count  as  mean  the  common  day. 

Meseems  the  world  has  not  so  much 
Superfluous  beauty  that  we  may 

Blight  anything  with  scornful  touch 

'•  In  times  long  past  the  harebell's  grace 
I  blent  with   this  resplendent  spray; 
And  one  I  loved  would  lean  her  face 

Toward  their  contrasted  hues,  and  say, 
'  The  sun-like  gold,  the  heavenly  blue, 

I   know  not  which  delights  me  most!' 
Sacred  are  both,  dear  heart,  to  you: 

They  lift  your  feet  from  earth's  dim  coast." 

— Lucy  Larcom. 

The  flowers  have  rays,  and  all  grow  together  in  racemes 
or  corymbs,  or  in  clusters  along  the  stem. 

Solidago  squarrbsa.— Family,  Composite.  A  stout  -  stemmed 
species,  2  to  5  feet  high.  Leaves,  toothed,  veiny,  large,  with 
margined  petioles.  Heads  of  flowers  large,  clustered  in 'leafy, 
compound,  elongated  spikes.     August  to  October. 

Mountains  of  Virginia  and  northward  to  the  hills  of  Ver- 
mont. 

S.  latifblia  has  a  crooked,  zigzag  stem,  1  to  3  feet  high,  smooth, 
simple  or  branched.  Leaves,  thin,  large,  6  inches  or  less  in 
length,  sharply  toothed,  acute  at  apex  and  base.  Flowers,  with 
3  or  4  rays,  the  heads  clustered  in  axils  of  the  leaves  or  raceme- 
like at  ends  of  branches. 

Southward  among  the  mountains,  northward  in  dry  woods. 

5.  caesia A  common    golden-rod.     It  is   late   in    flowering. 

Stem,  smooth,  or  with  a  soft  bloom  which  rubs  off.  Flowers, 
pale  yellow,  closely  clustered  along  the  stem,  in  the  axils,  and 
compactly  panicled  at  the  top.  Leaves,  sessile,  long,  narrow, 
serrate,  feather- veined.  A  delicate,  graceful,  upright  plant. 
August  to  October. 

In  deciduous  forests  from  Maine  to  Minnesota  and  south- 
ward. 

S.  htspida. — The  manner  of  growth  of  this  species  is  similar  to 
the  white  golden-rod  (S.  bicolor,  p.  134).  Flowers,  in  small  clusters 
in  the  upper  leaf-axils,  also  in  a  crowded,  narrow  panicle  (a 
thyrsus)  at  the  top  of  the  stem.  Leaves,  the  lower  oval  or  ob- 
tuse, short- petioled,  softly   hairy,  toothed;    upper,  sessile,  lance- 

214 


golden-rod    (Solidago    rugosa) 
(See  page  216) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

shaped,  acute.     Rays,  deep  yellow.     Disk,  lighter  colored.     Stem, 
stout,  very  hairy,  i  .V  to  3  feet  high.     July  to  September. 

Dry  and  rocky  woods  or  banks  in  all  the  Eastern  States 
as  far  south  as  Georgia.  More  frequent  northward,  and 
found  2,000  feet  high  in  the  Catskills. 

S.  specibsa — A  late  bloomer.  Its  leaves  are  a  polished,  dark 
green,  the  lower  with  margined  petioles,  the  upper  sessile;  lower, 
broad,  a  foot  or  less  long,  all  acute  at  apex,  toothed,  pinnately  or 
leather  veined.  The  stem  is  tall,  3  to  6  feet  high,  and  is  crowned 
with  a  splendid,  ample  panicle  of  bloom.  Plant  roughly  hairy. 
September  and  October. 

A  common  species,  in  rich  soil  in  dry,  open  woods,  some- 
what local,  from  Massachusetts  to  Minnesota  and  south- 
ward. 

S.  rugbsa. — Stern,  stout,  tall,  1  to  6  or  7  feet  high,  generally 
branched  at  top.  Leaves,  large,  petioled  below,  smaller,  oblong, 
or  ovate  or  lance-shaped  above,  all  rough,  especially  underneath 
along  the  veins.  Flowers,  in  1 -sided,  drooping  panicles,  accom- 
panied with  small  leaves.     July  to  November. 

In  dry  or  damp  soil,  fields  or  edges  of  thickets,  in  all  the 
Eastern  States.  Common,  and  very  variable.  Generally 
a  low-growing  species.      (See  illustration,  p.  215.) 

S.  ulmifblia. — A  low,  early  species,  1  to  4  feet  high.  Leaves, 
broad,  oblong  to  lance-shaped,  sharply  serrate,  thin,  acute,  softly 
hairy  underneath.  Flowers,  in  recurved,  spreading  panicles,  with 
small  leaves  interspersed.     August  and  September. 

Dry  woods  and  copses,  Maine  to  Minnesota,  south  to 
Georgia. 

Sweet  Golden-rod 

S.  odbra. — Stem,  slender,  sometimes  reclining,  2  or  3  feet  long. 
Leaves,  bright  green,  entire,  long,  narrow,  dotted.  Panicle  of 
flowers,  small,  1 -sided,  broad,  short,  rather  a  dull  yellow.  When 
the  leaves  are  crushed  they  usually  give  forth  a  pleasant,  anise- 
like fragrance.     September  and  October. 

Dry  soil,  borders  of  woods  and  thickets  from  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Vermont  to  Florida,  west  to  Missouri  and  Texas. 
(See  illustration,  p.  217.) 

S.  puberala — Stem,  smooth  or  somewhat  softly  hairy,  1^  to  3 
feet  high.      Basal  leaves,  2  to  4  inches  long,  narrowed  into  a  mar- 

2  1  (> 


SWEET    GOLDEN- ROD     (SolidugO    odora) 

(Sec  page  2  10) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

gined  petiole.  Upper  leaves  small,  sessile,  extending  into  the 
panicle  of  flowers.  Plant  covered  with  a  soft,  powdery  bloom. 
Flowers  crowded  into  a  dense,  terminal  spike  or  thyrsus.  August 
to  October. 

Dry  or  poor  soil  from  Maine  to  Florida  and  Mississippi  near 
the  coast. 

S.  stricta. — Stem,  smooth,  tall,  wand-like,  2  to  8  feet  high,  not 
branched,  covered  with  very  small,  linear,  thick,  appressed  (laid 
flat  against  the  stem)  leaves.  Flowers,  in  a  slender  spike  or 
raceme.  Leaves  at  base,  on  long  petioles,  broad  at  apex,  taper- 
ing.    August  to  October. 

Pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey  and  southward.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  mistake  this  species,  which  has  a  slender,  unbranched, 
tall,  graceful  appearance.  It  might  be  called  willow-leaf 
golden-rod. 

S.  fistulbsa. — In  the  same  pine  barrens  we  may  find  the  fistnlosa, 
tall,  3  to  7  feet,  but  rough,  hairy,  stout,  and  simple  below,  often 
branched  above.  Leaves,  all  sessile,  numerous,  larger  below, 
quite  small  above,  rough  on  midrib  beneath  and  along  the  mar- 
gins. Heads  of  bright- yellow  flowers  in  a  dense,  pyramid-shaped, 
recurved  panicle.  Flowers  with  few  and  short  rays.  August  to 
October. 

Pine  barrens,  sandy  soil,  New  Jersey  to  Virginia  and 
southward. 

Gray  or  Field  Golden-rod 

S.  nemorklis. — A  common  species  covering  barren  fields,  and 
one  of  the  least  pretty.  It  is  low,  from  6  inches  to  2  feet  high. 
Stem,  simple,  rough,  covered  with  a  gray  down  which  is  also 
found  on  the  leaves.  Flowers,  in  a  heavy,  i-sided  compound 
panicle.  Leaves,  long-petioled  below,  crenately  toothed;  the 
upper  much  smaller.     July  to  November. 

Dry  soil  in  open  fields  or  along  roadsides,  in  waste  places. 
Yellow  Weed 

S.  canadensis* — A  common  species,  coarse,  rather  tall,  limit  6 
feet,  with  spreading,  recurving,  1 -sided  racemes  of  flowers,  mak- 
ing a  large,  showy  panicle.  Leaves,  3-ribbed,  lance-shaped,  rough- 
ish,  toothed,  sessile  above,  petioled  below,  thin.  Heads  small, 
subtended  by  pale,  almost  straw-color  bracts.  August  to  No- 
vember. 

Dry  soil,  in  open  places. 


beach  golden-rod  {Solidago  sempcrvirens) 

(See  page  -'•, -1) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Early  Golden-rod.     Plume  Golden-rod 

5.  juncea — This  species  may  be  seen  from  June  to  November. 
It  may  easily  be  known  by  the  fringed  petioles  of  the  lowest, 
sharply  toothed  leaves.  Upper  leaves  narrow,  entire,  sessile! 
Stem,  i£  to  4  feet  high,  commonly  about  2  feet.  Flowers  have 
small  rays,  and  are  arranged  in  close,  heavy,  drooping,  corymb- 
like panicles  upon  the  upper  sides  of  the  branchlets. 

A  common  form,  in  dry  fields  from  far  north,  Hudson 
Bay  to  North  Carolina. 

5.  serotina — Stem,  tall,  thick,  rough,  from  2  to  7  feet  high. 
Leaves,  tapering,  very  acute,  thin,  sharply  toothed,  smooth 
above  and  beneath.  Flowers,  in  a  large,  spreading,  handsome 
panicle.     July  to  September. 

In  rich  or  poor  soil,  thickets,  copses,  fields,  etc. 

Var.  gigantea  is  5  to  8  feet  high.  A  large,  flowing  panicle  of 
bright-yellow  flowers  caps  the  stout,  rough  stem. 

Abundant  along  fences,  in  fields  and  waste  places. 
Bog  Golden-rod 

S.  uliginbsa Stem,  unbranched,  smooth  below  the  flower- 
panicle,  2  to  4  feet  high.  Leaves,  lance-shaped  or  oblong,  much 
pointed,  finely  toothed,  rough  on  the  margins,  the  lower  4  to  9 
inches  long,  with  winged  petioles.  Flowers,  small,  much  crowded 
in  a  long,  terminal  panicle.     July  to  September. 

Bogs,  swamps,  wet  shores  of  streams  from  Newfound- 
land to  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  in  mountains  to 
North  Carolina. 

S.  patula. — Stems,  smooth,  sharply  4-angled,  often  7  feet  high. 
Leaves,  linear,  smooth  beneath,  very  rough  above.  This  un- 
usual roughness  of  the  upper  surfaces  of  the  leaves  will  identify 
the  species.  Leaves  pinnately  veined,  those  below  very  large, 
3  to  16  inches,  finely  toothed.  Upper  ones  entire,  small,  lance- 
shaped.  Flowers,  numerous,  on  separate  and  spreading  branches 
whi tli  have  leafy  bracts. 

In  swamps,  Maine  to  Minnesota  south  to  Georgia  and 
Texas.     In  mountains  5,000  feet  high  in  North  Carolina. 

5.  Elliottii. — Stem,  smooth,  stout,  3  to  6  feet  high,  simple  as 
far  as  the  flowers  begin,  then,  perhaps,  branched.  Leaves,  not 
much  toothed,  oblong  or  lance-shaped,  obtuse  at  base,  without 


golden-rod    (Solidago  graminifolia) 
I  See  page  ::.•) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    To    WILD    FLOWERS 

petioles,   rough   along  the  margins,   downy  along  the  veins  be- 
neath.    Flowers,  in  showy,  not  crowded,  spreading  racemes. 

Swamps,  Massachusetts  to  North  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
near  the  coast. 

5.  neglecta — Stem,  smooth  or  roughish,  2  to  4  feet  high,  leafy, 
acute,  mostly  entire,  the  lower  on  long,  margined  petioles.  Flow- 
ers, in  a  rather  dense  raceme,  on  spreading  branches,  on  the  upper 
side,  recurved.    August  to  October. 

Swamps  and  banks  of  running  streams,  New  England  to 
Maryland  and  Illinois. 

S.  argttta. — Leaves,  thin,  large,  serrate,  entire  on  the  branches, 
acute,  the  lower  with  margined  petioles;  the  upper  linear  or  lance- 
shaped.  Flowers,  a  greenish  yellow,  with  6  or  7  large  rays,  open, 
spreading,  in  rather  short  and  loose  racemes,  making  an  elongated 
panicle.     Stem,  smooth  and  sharply  angled.    August  and  September. 

Open  woods  or  moist  thickets,  Maine  to  Michigan  and 
southward. 

Beach  Golden-rod 

5.  setnper<virens. — Color,  golden  yellow.  Flowers,  large,  closely 
bunched,  in  various  shapes,  broad  or  elongated,  or  dense  and 
thick.  Stem,  tall,  or  low  and  spreading.  Leaves,  thick,  fleshy, 
lance-shaped,  smooth,  entire,  the  lower  ones  slightly  clasping, 
upper  smaller,  less  fleshy.  Stout  -  stemmed,  very  leafy  and 
bushy.     August  to  November. 

One  of  the  handsomest  of  the  golden-rods,  because  pre- 
senting such  a  mass  of  golden  color  in  its  blossoms.  Lining 
the  salt  marshes  on  shores  of  Long  Island  bays  and  all  the 
Eastern  States  near  the  coast.     (See  illustration,  p.  219.) 

S.  graminifotia. — In  this  and  the  next  species  the  flowers  are 
massed  in  flat  corymbs  instead  of  elongated  racemes.  Leaves, 
3-ribbed,  long,  narrow,  smooth,  except  for  a  roughness  along  the 
veins  and  margins.  Heads  of  flowers  of  a  light  yellow,  in  wide- 
spreading  masses.  Plant,  as  a  whole,  pretty,  and  of  a  light,  grace- 
ful foliage.     August  to  October. 

It  grows  along  roadsides,  and  is  often  covered  with  dust. 
2  to  3  feet  high.  Very  common  along  the  coast  to  New 
Jersey.     (See  illustration,  p.  221.) 

Slender-leaved  Golden-rod 

S.  tenuifolia.  —  Much  like  the  preceding,  but  smaller,  with 
slenderer  leaves  and  branches,  from  1  to  i\  feet  high.     Leaves, 


SLENDER-LEAVED    GOLDEN-ROD    (SoltddgO    tcnuij<)lia) 
(See  page  222) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

i  to  3  inches  long,  i -nerved,  often  with  very  small  ones  clustered 
in  the  axils  of  the  larger.  Flowers  grow  in  little  buttons  or  clusters, 
all  of  which  together  make  a  flat-topped  corymb.  Often  grows 
with  the  last.     August  to  October. 

Both  are  common  along  the  coast  in  sandy  soil  from 
Massachusetts  to  Florida.  Some  botanists  classify  these  two 
in  a  separate  genus,  Euthamia.     (See  illustration,  p.  223.) 

Ox-eye 

Heliopsis   heliantkoides Family,    Composite.      Color,    yellow. 

Leaves,  opposite,  acute  at  apex,  ovate  to  lance-shaped,  with 
petioles,  toothed.     August. 

This  yellow  daisy  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  the  com- 
moner purple-coned  daisy.  It  may  easily  be  mistaken  for 
a  sunflower,  but  has  fewer  and  narrower  rays,  about  10. 
The  heads  of  flowers  are  showy  on  the  ends  of  branches. 
1  to  4  feet  high.     New  York  southward  and  westward. 

Elecampane 

Inula  Helenium. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves, 
woolly  underneath,  large,  undivided,  alternate,  serrate,  the  lower 
with  petioles,  the  upper  sessile  and  clasping.     August. 

Stout,  coarse  plants,  4  to  5  feet  high,  with  large  flowers 
possessing  long  and  narrow  rays  around  heavy,  yellow  disks. 
Root  thick  and  mucilaginous,  used  in  veterinary  practice; 
growing  often  in  clumps,  like  sunflowers,  near  barn-yards 
or  in  old  fields  or  along  lanes  and  roadsides.     Very  common. 

Leafcup 

Polymnia  canadensis Family,  Composite.      Color,  pale  yellow. 

Leaves,  large,  thin,  the  uppermost  3  to  5-lobed,  petioled;  lower 
more  deeply  cut,  pinnatifid.  Heads  small,  in  panicled,  flat 
clusters.  Generally  both  ray  and  disk  flowers  present,  but  rays 
small  and  occasionally  wanting.  Around  the  flowers  are  about 
5  large  involucral  scales,  leaf-like  in  character,  making  a  sort  of 
cup  in  which  the  flower  sits.  Smaller  scales  in  an  inner  row 
partly  fold  over  the  achenes  in  fruit.  Flowers  in  panicled,  flat 
clusters.  A  tall  plant,  2  to  5  feet  high,  with  hairy  stems.  June 
to  September. 

Western  Vermont  to  Connecticut  and  westward,  in  shaded, 
cool  woods  and  ravines. 

Spiny  Cocklebur 

Xanthium  spinbsum — Family,  Composite.  Color,  greenish  yel- 
low.    Staminate  and  pistillate  flowers  in  different  heads,  the  for- 

224 


PURPLE    CONE-FLOWER    {RudbecktQ    huta) 
I  Sec  page  aa6) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

mer  in  small  heads  above,  making  short  spikes,  the  latter  axillary 
below.  Corolla,  attending  the  single  pistil,  long,  thread  -  like. 
Pistillate  heads  covered  with  stout,  hooked  spines,  which,  in 
fruit,  make  a  rough,  pointed,  beaked,  bristly  bur.  Stem  i  to  3 
feet  high,  thickly  covered  with  lobed  or  toothed,  alternate  leaves 
and  stout  branches.  There  are  spines  at  the  base  of  the  leaves, 
slender,  of  a  yellow  color,  3 -parted.     August  to  November. 

An  imported  weed  too  well  known.  In  waste  places, 
Maine  to  Florida  west  to  Illinois. 

Hedgehog  Burweed 

X.  echinktum — This  is  a  plant  of  similar  growth  and  habit, 
found  in  waste  places  near  the  coast.  The  bur  is  large,  strongly 
2-beaked  at  the  top,  covered  with  rigid,  coarse  hairs  and  bristles. 
The  stem  is  often  spotted  with  brown.     Leaves,  coarse  and  thick. 

Tetragonotheca  helianthoides — Family,  Composite.  Color,  pale 
yellow.  Leaves,  opposite,  sessile,  their  bases  sometimes  meeting 
and  joining  around  the  stem,  coarsely  toothed.  Flowers,  in  large 
heads,  on  peduncles  terminating  the  simple  flower-stem.  Rays 
present,  6  to  9,  1  inch  long.  Underneath  the  flower-heads,  4 
broad,  involucral  bracts  unite  and  make  a  4-angled  cup  around 
the  flower.  A  second  row  within  is  composed  of  small,  chaffy 
scales.     May  and  June. 

Virginia,  southward. 

Purple  Cone-flower.     Black-eyed  Susan 

Rudbeckia  htrta. — Family,  Composite.  Color  of  rays  yellow, 
with  a  chocolate-brown,  cone-shaped  disk.  Whole  plant  rough, 
hairy.  Leaves,  mostly  entire,  the  upper  lance-shaped,  sessile;  the 
lower  broader,  with  petioles.  In  dry  ground,  fields,  and  way- 
sides.    June  to  September. 

This  pretty  weed  has  been  brought  to  the  East  in  clover- 
seed  from  Western  fields.  It  grows  1  to  2  feet  high,  and 
colors  whole  fields  with  bright  yellow,  possessing  strong  roots 
and  an  aggressive  nature,  so  that,  once  established,  it  is 
difficult  to  eradicate.  New  Jersey  farmers  regard  the  cone- 
flowers  with  disapproval,  but  city  boarders  love  them,  es- 
pecially mixed  with  white  daisies,  and  fill  large  jardinieres 
with  the  golden  blooms.     (See  illustration,  p.  225.) 

Cone-flower.     Thimble  Weed 
R.  taciniaia.  —  Color   of    both    rays    and    disk,    yellow.     Disk 
strongly  columnar.     Leaves,  alternate,  the  lowest  pinnate,  the 

226 


NARROW-LEAVED    SUNFLOWER    ( / IrliantllUS    angUSiifoUus) 
I  See 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

leaflets  cut  into  3  to  7  divisions;  the  upper  irregularly  3  to 
5-parted.  This  cone-flower  of  the  woods  and  thickets  may  be 
known  from  the  commoner  weed  by  its  yellow  disk,  the  other 
having  a  brown  disk.  Stem,  smooth  and  tall,  2  to  7  feet.  The 
floivers  are  on  long  peduncles,  and  their  long,  deep-yellow  rays 
are  drooping.  Low,  damp  thickets  and  open  woods.  July  to 
September. 

From  Quebec  to  Florida  and  west  to  New  Mexico. 

Gray-headed  Cone-flower 
Lepachys  pinnata — Family,  Composite.  Color  of  rays,  light 
yellow;  of  disk,  gray.  Single  heads  of  flowers  large,  showy,  with 
drooping  rays  1  to  2  inches  long.  The  columnar  disk  is  very 
prominent,  broad,  and  large.  Leaves,  alternate,  pinnately  divided, 
mostly  low  down  on  the  stem,  3  to  7  leaflets.  Stem,  naked  above, 
grooved,  about  4  feet  high,  stout,  the  whole  plant  covered  with 
a  grayish  down.     June  and  July. 

Dry  fields  and  edges  of  woods,  from  western  New  York 
to  Minnesota  and  southward.  The  difference  between  this 
species  and  the  two  preceding  cone-flowers  is  unmistakable. 
All  the  long  rays  of  the  flower  droop  away  down,  exposing 
the  whole  extent  of  the  broad  cone. 

Narrow-leaved  Sunflower 

Helianthus  angustifblius — Family,  Composite.  Color  of  rays, 
bright  yellow;  disk,  a  purplish  brown.  Leaves,  long,  linear,  en- 
tire, sessile,  alternate  on  the  stem  above,  opposite  below,  their 
edges  rolled  backward,  noticeably  when  dry.  A  perennial  grow- 
ing from  slender  rootstocks.  Heads  of  flowers  in  loose,  irregular 
corymbs,  on  peduncles  of  varying  lengths  near  the  ends  of 
branches.  2  to  7  feet  high.  Flowers,  2  to  3  inches  across.  Au- 
gust to  October. 

In  swamps  or  wet  grounds  from  Long  Island  (where  it  is 
common),  southern  New  York,  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Near  the  coast.     (See  illustration,  p.  227.) 

Tall  Sunflower.  Wild  Sunflower 
H.  giganteas, — Color  of  both  rays  and  disk,  pale  lemon  yellow. 
A  tall  species  reaching  12  feet  in  height.  Usually  about  4  feet. 
Common  in  leafy  and  shady,  swampy  roadsides  and  thickets  from 
Maine  to  Florida.  Stem,  rough  and  of  a  purplish  color.  Leaves, 
undivided,  lance-shaped,  sessile,  or  a  few  with  short  petioles, 
mostly  alternate,  numerous,  dark  green.  August  to  October. 
(See  illustration,  p.  229.) 

228 


tall  sunflower  (Helianthus  giganteus) 
(See  page 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Rough  or  Woodland  Sunflower 
H.  divaricatus. — Color  of  both  rays  and  disk,  yellow.  A  lower 
species,  from  2  to  6  feet  high,  perennial  from  rootstock.  The  in- 
volucral  scales  around  the  flowers  are  few,  narrow,  and  unusually 
long.  Leaves,  opposite,  widely  spreading,  lance-shaped  or  ovate, 
tapering  to  a  sharp  point,  rough  above,  smooth  underneath, 
toothed.  Stem,  smooth  except  near  the  top,  where  it  is  softly 
downy,  slender.     July  to  September. 

From  northern  New  York  and  New  England  to  Florida  and 
Louisiana.  In  dry  woodlands,  thickets,  and  open  woods. 
These  are  among  the  flowers  that  help  to  round  out  the 
beauty  of  the  autumn  plant-life  with  rich,  heavy,  golden 
color,  making  us  welcome  that  last  of  the  flowering  seasons 
as  we  do  the  spring.     (See  illustration,  p.  231.) 

H.  deca.peta.lus. — Color  of  both  rays  and  disk,  yellow,  heaves, 
thin,  sharply  pointed,  toothed,  the  lower  opposite,  with  petioles; 
the  upper  generally  alternate,  softly  downy  or  rough.  Number 
of  rays  about  10,  with  some  of  the  involucral  bracts  showing  be- 
tween. Blossom,  not  large.  Stem,  smooth,  branching,  1  to  5  feet 
high.     August  and  September. 

In  wet  places,  as  banks  of  streams,  moist  copses,  damp 
wroods,  from  Quebec  to  Florida  and  westward.  Most  of  the 
sunflowers  are  perennials.  The  tall  garden  sunflower,  H. 
annuus,  is  an  exception,  being  an  annual.  It  is  cultivated 
from  seed,  not  only  for  its  showy,  big  flowers,  but  because 
its  seed  is  fed  to  chickens,  parrots,  and  tame  squirrels. 

Actinomeris  alternifolia  ("  partly  rayed  "). — Family,  Composite. 
Color  of  rays  and  disk,  yellow,  the  disk  becoming  brownish. 
Rays  few,  5  or  6  or  more;  sometimes  none.  Leaves,  alternate, 
or  the  lower  opposite,  hairy,  oblong,  or  narrow  and  lance-shaped, 
deeply  toothed,  acute  at  both  ends,  the  lower  short-petioled,  the 
upper  sessile.  A  plant  4  to  8  feet  high,  with  a  coarse  stem,  which 
is  hairy,  winged  above.  Flowers,  in  loose  corymbs.  August  and 
September. 

This  plant  has  been  found  near  Paterson  and  Montclair, 
New  Jersey.  Its  range  is  from  western  New  York  south- 
ward.    In  rich  soil. 

Bur  Marigold.     Beggar-ticks 

Bidens  frondbsa  ("  2-toothed,"  referring  to  the  2  horns  on  the 
achenes). — Family,  Composite.     Color,  greenish  or  pale  yellow, 


woodland  sunflower  (Helianthus  divaricatus) 

(See  pa«e  230) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD   FLOWERS 

taken  mostly  from  the  disk,  for  the  rays  are  seldom  found.  The 
involucre  is  roundish,  and  the  outer  bracts  become  long,  much 
longer  than  the  disk,  leaf-like,  rough-margined.  Leaves,  petioled, 
pinnately  3  to  5-divided,  with  segments  thin,  stalked,  sharply 
toothed,  acute  at  apex,  roughish.  2  to  8  feet  high.  July  to 
October. 

One  may  make  the  acquaintance  of  this  plant  by  its  fruit, 
after  a  walk  in  the  woods  in  fall.  The  seeds  are  achenes, 
with  barbed  awns  which  point  down,  catching  in  the  cloth- 
ing. There  is  no  beauty  in  the  plant,  and  it  is  often  quite 
too  common,  becoming  a  weed  more  and  more  widely  dis- 
seminated. Some  of  its  common  names  show  the  low  es- 
timation in  which  it  is  held  —  beggar  -  lice,  pitchforks  (a 
really  suitable  name),  stickseed,  or  sticktight. 

Spanish  Needles 

B.  btpinnkta Flowers,  with  3  or  4  or  sometimes  no  yellow 

rays.  Of  the  involucre,  the  outer  row  of  scales  equals  the  rays 
in  length.  Achenes,  nearly  smooth  themselves,  are  tipped  with 
3  or  4  awns  with  hooks  bent  downward,  by  means  of  which  they 
catch  into  everything  which  touches  them.  Leaves,  1  to  3 -pin- 
nately cut,  the  divisions  cut  or  lobed,  toothed. 

Sometimes  a  weed,  in  damp  soil,  Rhode  Island  westward 
and  southward. 

Swamp  Beggar-ticks 

B.  connkta. — Color  of  disk,  orange  yellow.  No  rays  or  but  few, 
small.  Leaves,  with  margined  petioles,  lance-shaped,  sharply, 
coarsely,  and  distantly  serrate.  Involucre,  the  outer  bracts  nar- 
row, long,  hairy;  the  inner,  oblong  or  ovate,  short.  Stem,  8  feet 
high  or  less,  purple  in  color.  Achenes,  barbed  like  those  of  the 
preceding  species. 

A  coarse  plant,  absolutely  without  beauty.  In  swamps 
from  Nova  Scotia  south  to  Georgia,  west  to  Kentucky  and 
Missouri. 

Larger  Bur  Marigold.     Brook  Sunflower 

B.  lahois Color,   bright   yellow.     Leaves,   undivided,  without 

petioles,  lance-shaped,  toothed,  opposite.     August  to  October. 

This  is  the  finest  of  the  bur  marigolds,  being  really  a  hand- 
some thing.  The  ray  flowers  are  present,  large,  2  inches  or 
more  broad.  It  is  especially  striking  in  the  later  days  of 
September  and  to  the  middle  of  October,  outlasting  many 
of  the  golden-rods.      It  grows   in  rich  bloom   around  pools 

232 


^^Mr 


m^fe 


w  > 


LARGER    BUR    MARIGOLD     (BidetlS    loCVts) 
(See  page  2/52) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

in  pastures  and  in  swampy  land,  often  quite  in  water.  2  to 
3  feet  high.  The  achenes  are  just  as  troublesome  as  those 
of  other  species,  being  furnished  with  2  long  and  2  short 
awns,  rigidly  barbed.  Widely  diffused.  (See  illustration, 
P-  233.) 

Tall  Tickseed  Sunflower 

B.  trichosperma. — Color  of  large  rays,  golden  yellow.  Heads  in 
corymbose  panicles.  Leaves,  the  lower  petioled,  deeply,  pin- 
nately  divided;  upper,  sessile,  3-lobed  or  divided.  Outer  and 
inner  scales  of  the  involucre  about  the  same  length,  much  shorter 
than  the  rays.  Stem,  tall,  2  to  5  feet  high,  smooth,  branched. 
August  to  October. 

Swamps  and  wet  meadows,  sometimes  in  damp,  open 
woods,  Massachusetts  to  Georgia.  A  showy  species,  not 
very  common  with  us. 

Water  Marigold 

B.  Beckii. — Color,  yellow.  This  is  an  aquatic,  with  simple  or 
somewhat  branched  stems,  2  to  8  feet  long.  Leaves,  those  under 
water  many,  cut  into  fine,  hair-like  segments;  those  above,  out  of 
water,  a  few,  sessile,  long,  narrow,  undivided,  serrate.  August 
and  September. 

A  large-flowered  species,  found  in  slow  streams  and  ponds. 
The  flowers  are  single,  on  long  or  short  peduncles.  The 
seeds  are  smooth  nutlets,  each  with  several  long  awns,  spread- 
ing apart,  barbed  at  their  apex. 

Autumn  Sneezeweed.     Swamp  Sunflower 

Helenium   autumnale Family,   Composite.      Color,   yellow  in 

both  rays  and  disk.  Number  of  rays  about  10.  Flower,  not 
large,  but  possessing  attractiveness.  The  rays  are  deeply  3  to 
5-notched,  and  droop  downward.  Leaves,  toothed,  oblong  to 
lance  -  shaped,  alternate,  sessile,  running  down  on  the  stem, 
feather-veined,  2  to  5  inches  long.     August  and  September. 

Plant  erect,  1  to  6  feet  high,  and  in  general  appearance 
like  a  sunflower,  but  the  blossom  is  smaller,  being  about  \ 
inch  across.  Branches  and  broad  stem  angled  and  smooth. 
Heads  single  or  in  small  clusters.  Swamps,  river-banks,  and 
wet  meadows.     Quebec  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Common  Tansy 

Tanacetum  <vulgkre. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Flow- 
ers, all  tubular  and  much  compressed  into  flat-topped  corymbs. 

234 


YELLOW    GROUP 

Leaves,  much  cut  into  fine-toothed  segments  or  leaflets,  on  winged 
petioles  which  are  also  cut-toothed. 

An  herb  formerly  cultivated  for  its  medicinal  qualities. 
It  has  escaped  from  gardens  and  become  a  weed  in  sonic 
places.  Plant  from  3  to  4  feet  high,  usually  lower,  with  a 
strong,  pungent  scent. 

Wormwood 

Artemisia  Absinthium.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow. 
Heads  of  flowers  roundish,  in  panicles.  Leaves,  twice  or  thrice- 
divided  into  narrow  lobes,  2  to  5  inches  long,  long-petioled  below, 
the  upper  ones  sessile  or  with  short  petioles.     July  to  September. 

A  somewhat  shrubby  plant,  escaped  from  old  gardens, 
where  it  is  still  cultivated  for  its  supposed  remedial  virtues. 
Soiithermvood  is  a  member  of  this  genus,  a  favorite  plant  in 
gardens  on  account  of  its  sweet-scented,  finely  cut  leaves, 
wilting  as  soon  as  plucked. 

The  leaves  and  flowers  of  this  plant  form  the  principal 
ingredients  of  the  famous  drink  absinthe,  so  much  used  in 
France.  Mixed  with  other  plants,  they  are  pounded,  then 
macerated  with  alcohol,  allowed  to  stand  for  eight  days,  then 
distilled. 

Coltsfoot 

Tussilkgo  Farfara. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Disk 
flowers,  tubular,  rays  narrow,  drooping.  Leaves,  of  2  sorts,  the 
earlier,  accompanying  the  flower,  merely  scales  on  the  scapes. 
Later,  these  are  followed  by  roundish,  heart-shaped,  lobed, 
toothed  leaves,  woolly  underneath,  smooth  and  green  above. 
From  a  perennial  rootstock.     April  to  June. 

A  curious,  "thoroughly  wild"  plant,  with  many  ugly 
names,  as  horsehoof ,  colt  -  herb,  and  clay  -  weed.  In  wet 
places,  as  brooks  and  springs  along  roadsides.  From  Maine 
and  Massachusetts  west  to  Minnesota. 

Common  Groundsel 

Senecio  vulgaris  ("  senex,"  old  man,  from  the  resemblance  of 
the  white  pappus  to  gray  hair). — Family,  Composite.  Color, 
yellow.  Leaves,  narrow,  pinnatifid,  toothed,  2  to  6  inches  long, 
the  upper  clasping  the  stem  or  sessile;  lower  on  short,  thick 
petioles.  Several  small  heads  of  flowers  in  corymbs,  without 
rays,  with  only  central,  tubular,  yellow  flowers. 

Coarse,  hairy  herbs  with  hollow  stems  6  to  15  inches  high, 
branched.     Bracts    of    the    involucre    tipped    with    black. 

235 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Common  in  cultivated  or  waste  ground  from  Newfoundland 
to  Virginia  and  westward  to  Michigan  and  Minnesota. 

Golden  Ragwort 

S.  aureus.  —  Color,  yellow.  Leaves  on  stem,  sessile,  clasping, 
lyre-shaped,  lance-shaped,  and  deeply  cut.  The  root-leaves  have 
long  petioles,  round  or  heart-shaped,  conspicuously  toothed.  May 
and  June. 

A  common  plant  with  perennial  root,  blossoming  earlier 
than  many  of  the  composites.  It  grows  from  i  to  3  feet  high, 
stem  smooth.  The  heads  of  yellow  flowers  are  small,  ar- 
ranged in  leafless  clusters.  Seeds  with  fluffy,  hoary  pappus. 
In  swamps  and  wet  meadows,  or  along  roadsides,  also  in 
deep  woods  it  is  conspicuously  bright,  bringing  out  its 
golden  heads  of  blossoms  very  early.  When  gone  to  seed  it 
has  a  cottony  look,  like  that  of  small  thistles. 

Yellow  Thistle 

Ctrsium    spinosissimum Family,    Composite.     Color,    yellow, 

sometimes  purple.  This  is  a  very  spiny  and  prickly  species. 
Leaves,  stem,  and  the  involucre  around  the  heads  of  flowers  are 
all  alike  armed  with  vicious  tiny  spears  which  protect  it  from 
cattle  and  insure  its  continuation  upon  lands  where  it  is  not 
especially  desired.      1  to  3  feet  high.     June  to  August. 

Found  in  all  the  Atlantic  States  as  far  south  as  Virginia, 
in  sandy  soil. 

Nipple-wort 

Li.psa.na.  communis — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves, 
ovate  or  lyre-shaped,  toothed.  Heads,  8  to  12-flowered  with  8 
long  bracts  making  a  cylindrical  cup.  No  pappus.  A  slender, 
branching  plant,  with  small,  loosely  panicled  heads  of  flowers. 
June  to  September. 

Waste  places  along  roadsides  from  Quebec  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  westward  to  Michigan.      1  to  3}  feet  high. 

Dwarf  Dandelion 

Krigia  <vtrgmica. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves, 
mostly  from  the  root,  somewhat  toothed,  the  earlier  roundish, 
the  later  deeply  cut  and  toothed.  Flower-stalks  at  first  naked, 
becoming,  later,  leafy.  Like  its  larger  prototype,  the  common 
dandelion,  the  bright-yellow  heads  of  flowers  are  followed  by 
hoary  bunches  of  pappus,  consisting  of  both  scales  and  bristles. 
April  to  August. 

From  1  to  10  inches  high,  growing  in  shade,  on  rocks,  in 

236 


k 


Goat's    Beard.      (Tragopogon  pratensis) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

hilly  or  wooded  places.  Very  pretty,  and  keeping  company 
with  small  ferns.  Maine  to  Minnesota  and  southward,  in 
dry  soil. 

Cynthia 

K.  ample  xicaiilis. —  Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  entire,  mostly  from 
the  root,  on  winged  petioles,  toothed,  wavy-margined.  Stem- 
leaves  clasping,  usually  but  one,  above  which  the  stem  branches. 
i  or  2  feet  high.  Flowers,  deep  yellow,  in  rather  small  heads.  M  i  . 
to  October. 

An  annual,  common,  making  patches  of  bright  color  in 
low  meadows  of  New  Jersey  and  wherever  it  has  a  foothold. 
Massachusetts  to  Georgia  and  westward  to  Kentucky.  In 
mountains  of  Virginia  4,000  feet  high. 

Hawkbit.     Fall  Dandelion 

Leontodon  autumnalis  ("a  lion  and  a  tooth,"  from  the  toothed 
leaves). — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Floivcrs,  all  with 
strap-shaped  corollas  in  flat  heads,  smaller  than  the  common 
dandelion.  They  grow  singly  on  scapes,  from  3  to  12  inches 
high,  on  peduncles  which  are  thickened  just  under  the  flower. 
Occasionally  the  scape  branches,  and  a  second  flower  appears. 
Minute  scales  on  the  flower  scape.  Leaves,  blunt,  toothed,  or 
deeply  cut,  all  from  the  root,  clustered.  Involucre  slightly  downy. 
Pappus  a  row  of  tawny  bristles.      Late  May  to  November. 

Fields  and  roadsides,  dry  soil.  Common,  especially  north- 
ward. Smaller  and  more  delicate  than  the  common  dan- 
delion.     (See  illustration,  p.  238.) 

Goat's  Beard 

Tragopogon    pratensis Family,     Composite.      Color,     yellow. 

Leaves,  clasping  at  base,  tapering  to  a  very  long,  sharp  point, 
sometimes  10  inches  long.  Stem,  2  or  3  feet  high.  Peduncles 
slightly  thickened,  bearing  a  broad,  flat  head  of  ray  and  disk 
flowers,  all  tubular.      Pappus  of  many  long,  plume-like  bristles. 

Fields  and  waste  places  from  New  Jersey  northward. 
Succulent  herbs  with  strong  tap-roots,  perennials  or  bien- 
nials, the  flowers  opening  in  the  morning,  closing  at  noon. 

Dandelion 

Taraxacum  officinale.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow. 
Leaves,  clustered  at  the  root,  variously  cut  and  coarsely  toothed. 
April  to  September. 

This  is  one  of  the  weeds  that  we  love  tor  its  bright,  golden 
face,  and  because  it  is  one  of  our  first  flowers  to  awake  from 

237 


HAWKBIT.       FALL    DANDELION.       (LeOfttodott    dUtumndlis) 
(See  page  2.37) 


YELLOW    GROUP 

its  winter  nap  and  prophesy  of  coming  spring.  It  is  a  native 
of  Europe,  but  has  occupied  our  American  soil  as  far  as  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains.  Its  young  leaves  are  eaten.  In 
fruit  it  forms  a  round  head  of  evanescent  seed,  a  flower 
bubble,  the  soft,  feathery  pappus  being  raised  on  a  long  beak. 
Many  lawns  are  a  mass  of  golden  bloom  with  the  dande- 
lion. It  not  only  comes  early,  finding  warm,  sunny  corners 
in  April,  but  it  blooms  solitary  and  audacious  long  after  its 
true  season  is  spent.  The  time  for  each  blossom  is  short, 
the  involucre  at  first  closing;  later,  after  the  pappus  lias 
grown,  opening,  turning  downward,  leaving  the  seed  wholly 
exposed  to  the  breeze. 

Field  Sow  Thistle 

Sonchus  arvensis. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  yellow.  Large 
heads  of  bright  yellow  flowers  in  flat  panicles  are  borne  at  the  end 
of  leafy  stems.  Leaves,  pinnatifid,  sharply  cut,  with  the  segments 
turning  backward.  The  name  thistle  is  misleading,  for  the  plant 
is  smooth  except  the  margins  of  the  leaves  and  bracts  of  the  in- 
volucre, which  are  spiny.     July  to  October. 

From  a  perennial  rootstock,  in  fields  and  along  roadsides. 
also  on  gravelly  shores,  becoming  common.  From  Nova 
Scotia  to  New  Jersey  and  westward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Wild  Lettuce.     Horse-weed 

Laciuca  canadensis, — Family,  Composite.  Color,  pale  yellow. 
Leaves  long,  deeply  cut,  wavy,  some  of  them  pinnatifid,  those 
above  clasping  the  stem,  lance-shaped,  entire,  those  below  quite 
long,  6  or  8  inches. 

A  tall  plant,  reaching  the  height  of  8  or  9  feet.  The  cream- 
colored  flowers  grow  in  a  long,  loose,  leafy  panicle.  Com- 
mon along  roadsides,  borders  of  damp  thickets,  New  Eng- 
land to  Georgia  westward  to  Arkansas.  Not  ungraceful. 
The  stem  contains  milky  juice. 

Orange    Hawkweed.      Devil's    Paint-brush.      Grim   the 

Collier 

Hierkcium  aurantiacum. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  orange,  so 
deep  as  to  be  called  orange  red.  Sometimes  the  outer  rays  of 
the  head  of  flowers  are  red,  those  within  orange.  Stem,  leafless. 
Leaves,  from  the  root,  oblong  or  spatulate,  entire.  Whole  plant 
very  hairy.  Heads  of  many  flowers  arranged  in  corymbs.  Rays 
5-pointed,  truncate  at  apex.     6  to  20  inches  high.     June  and  July. 

A  pretty  flower,  common  in  Massachusetts  and  elsewhere, 
16  239 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

rather  local.     Considered  a  weed  in  some  places.     Quebec 
to  Pennsylvania  and  westward. 

Rattlesnake-weed.     Poor  Robin's  Plantain 

H.  <vendsum.  —  Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  clustered  at  the  root, 
marked  above  with  purple,  hairy  veins,  colored  beneath  a  lighter 
purple,  all  entire,  without  petioles.     Late  May  to  September, 

A  pretty,  graceful,  slender,  not  uncommon  plant.  The 
strangely  marked  leaves  form  a  rosette  at  the  root.  Slender- 
pcdicelled  flowers  are  produced  in  long,  loose  corymbs,  on 
scapes  naked  or  bearing  one  or  two  small  leaves,  i  to  2 
feet  high.  In  open  woods  and  sandy,  shady  places  from 
Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Panicled  Hawkweed 

H.  paniculktam. — Color,  yellow.  This  may  be  recognized  by 
similar  flower-heads  to  the  last,  on  leafy  stems,  with  leaves  green, 
not  marked  with  purple.  Heads  small,  on  very  slender  pedicels. 
Late  July  to  September. 

A  much-branched,  somewhat  hairy  plant  rather  taller  than 
the  last.  Flowers  smaller.  Thin,  open  woods,  dry  pastures 
and  fields  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Georgia  and  Alabama  and 
westward. 

Canada  Hawkweed 

H.  ca.na.den.se  produces  larger  flowers  than  either  of  the  last,  in 
corymbs,  with  leafy,  hairy  stems,  8  inches  to  4  feet  high.  Leaves, 
toothed  below  the  middle,  acute,  the  upper  rounded  or  heart- 
shaped  at  base,  sessile  or  clasping,  those  below  more  oval  or 
lance-shaped.     July  to  September. 

Open  woods  or  along  wood  paths,  Newfoundland  to  New 
Jersey  and  westward. 

Rough  Hawkweed 

H,  scabrum. — Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  deep  green  above,  paler 
below,  rough-hairy  on  both  sides,  elliptical,  obtuse.  Plant  stiff, 
1  to  3  feet  high.  Covered  with  a  whitish  wool,  and  with  dark 
glands  on  stem  and  branches.  If  broken  the  rough  stem  will  be 
found  very  brittle.  Flowers  in  corymbose  panicles,  on  thick 
pedicels,  the  heads  large.     July  to  September. 

Common  in  pastures  and  dry  fields. 

Hairy  Hawkweed 

H.  Gron&vii — Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  hairy,  entire  or  slightly 
toothed,  oblong  or  broader  at  apex,  clustered  at  base,  scattered 

240 


HAIRY    HAWKWEED    (II icniciltni    GrOtlOvH) 
(See  page  240) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

on  stem;  those  below  with  short  petioles,  those  above  sessile, 
few,  and  small.  Heads  of  flowers  small,  15  to  30-flowered,  on 
long,  slender  stems,  which  are  leafy  and  hairy,  in  loose  panicles. 
1  to  3  feet  high.     Pedicels,  glandular.     August  to  October. 

A  common  plant  of  graceful  habit,  in  sterile  soil,  along 
roadsides  and  in  the  edges  of  open  woods  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  Ontario  and  westward.    (See  illustration,  p.  241.) 


CHAPTER    VI 

PINK,   ROSE,   CRIMSON,    MAGENTA,    RED 

Many  pink  flowers  become,  in  some  localities  where  soil 
and  shade  are  different,  white  or  nearly  white.  Others,  in 
the  process  of  their  natural  growth,  fade,  becoming  white  or 
nearly  white,  so  that  the  old  flowers  may  seem  to  vary  from 
those  first  coming  into  bloom.  Those  flowers  with  distinctly 
white  varieties  are  referred  to  in  Chapter  IV. 

Doctor  Gray  has  been  called  color-blind,  because  he  made 
little  distinction  between  purple  and  crimson.  There  are  so 
few  really  red  (scarlet)  flowers,  and  so  many  with  puzzling 
shades  of  crimson,  magenta,  and  rose,  and  as  botanists  see 
colors  of  flowers  differently,  it  seems  best  to  group  all  in 
one  chapter.  The  author  will  give  the  colors  of  those  flowers 
with  which  she  is  familiar,  as  they  seem  to  her,  hoping  that 
she  represents  the  average  eye  for  color. 

Water  Plantain 

Alisma.  Planta.go-aqua.tica. — Color,  white  or  sometimes  a  pale 
pink.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  40.) 

Sessile-leaved  Twisted-stalk 

Streptopus  roseus.  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  a  deep  rose,  almost 
purple.  This  plant  springs  from  a  short  and  thick  rootstock 
with  fibrous  roots.  Perianth,  bell-shaped,  with  the  outer  seg- 
ments often  curved  backward.  Anthers,  curiously  2 -horned. 
Style,  3-cleft.  Flowers,  on  slightly  bent  peduncles,  hanging, 
one  from  under  each  leaf,  joined  to  the  axil  about  \  inch 
long.  Leaves,  very  acute  at  apex,  sessile,  rounded  or  clasping 
at  base,  2  to  4^  inches  long,  parallel  -  veined,  with  the  stem 
slightly  hairy.  Fruit,  a  round,  red  berry.  12  to  30  inches  high. 
May  and  June. 

These  are  graceful,  pretty  plants,  with  a  strong  likeness 
to  the  uvularias  and  Solomon's  Seal,  of  which  they  are  near 

243 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

relatives.     Cold,  damp,  deep  woods  from  Newfoundland  to 
the  mountains  of  Georgia  and  westward. 

Wake  Robin 

Trillium  eredum. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  variable.  It  is  called 
all  shades  of  purple,  crimson,  pink,  white,  or  greenish.  Perhaps 
the  more  common  color  is  deep  pink.  Sepals,  3,  narrower  than 
the  3  petals,  remaining  after  the  petals  have  withered.  Anthers 
of  the  6  stamens  long,  on  short  filaments.  The  pistil  bears  3  stiff, 
spreading  stigmas  which  are  stigmatic  on  their  inner  side.  The 
solitary  flower  stands  or  droops  on  a  peduncle  1  to  4  inches  long. 
Flower  2  to  3  inches  across.  Leaves,  3,  above  on  the  stem,  very 
broad,  3  to  6  inches  long,  rhombic  in  shape,  very  sharply  acute 
at  apex,  sessile.     April  to  June. 

A  showy  flower  of  early  spring,  but  with  a  disagreeable 
odor  that  is  more  attractive  to  insects  than  to  ourselves. 
Rich,  moist  woods,  or  more  open  but  shaded  and  damp  fields 
from  Quebec  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  mountains  to  North 
Carolina,  also  westward.      (See  illustration,  p.  245.) 

Painted  Trillium 

T.  undalktum. — Color  of  petals  white,  with  red  or  crimson 
stripes.      (See  p.  50.) 

Large-flowered  Wake   Robin  or  Trillium 

T.  grandiflbrum, — Color,  white,  the  petals  later  turning  a  rich 
pink,  sometimes  marked  with  green.     (See  p.  48.) 

T.  cernaam. — Color,  white  or  pink.      (See  p.  50.) 

Stemless  Lady's  Slipper.     Moccasin  Flower 

Cypripedium  acaule. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  pink,  with  darker 
lines,  rarely  white.  The  color  lies  in  the  large,  saccate  lip;  the 
3  narrow  sepals  and  2  small  petals  are  a  greenish  purple  or  brown. 
They  are  inconspicuous  beside  the  large  pocket  which  hangs  from 
the  upright,  leafless  scape.  Leaves,  a  pair,  near  the  base  of  the 
stem,  oval,  6  to  8  inches  long,  2  or  3  wide,  sessile,  clasping.  Stem, 
\  to  1  foot  high.  A  bract  is  found  near  the  flower.  May  and 
June. 

Writers  differ  materially  as  to  the  haunts  of  this  flower. 
One  says  look  for  it  on  an  exposed  hillside.  Another  finds 
it  in  swamps  and  still  another  among  dry  rocks. 

Among  my  earliest  recollections  are  those  of  a  wonderful 
grove  of  tall  white  pines,  where    it   seemed   to   me   all  the 

244 


>:#•* 


X. 


wake   robin,      i  Trillium  ,■> 

) ;  i 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

fairy  flowers  grew.  It  bordered  a  lake,  and  in  the  early 
spring  the  moccasin  flower  fairly  dotted  the  grove  as  the 
feet  of  the  red  men  with  their  moccasins  may  have  trodden 
there  years  ago.  Neither  rocks  nor  a  swamp  were  there, 
but  many  inches  of  soft,  dead  pine  needles,  and  mossy 
cushions  made  the  homes  of  the  Lady's  Slipper.  And  since 
then,  I  find  it  everywhere  in  the  pine  woods  of  Long  Island. 
Wherever  found  it  is  the  very  essence  of  the  woods  exultant 
in  the  new  spring,  and  it  should  never  be  torn  from  its 
lovely  retreat  to  pine  in  some  parlor  vase,  or  still  worse,  to 
decorate  a  lady's  belt.  From  Newfoundland,  south  to 
North  Carolina,  and  westward. 

Showy  Orchis 

Orchis  spectabilis. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  crimson  and  white. 
Leaves,  2,  large,  the  largest  4  inches  wide,  8  inches  long,  oblong  or 
ovate,  fleshy,  shiny  above,  clammy,  with  smooth,  wavy  margins, 
arising  from  near  the  base  of  the  stem.  A  low  orchid,  from 
fibrous  roots,  bearing  a  single  flower  -  scape,  with  3  or  4  rather 
large  flowers,  1  inch  long,  at  the  summit.  The  lip  is  white,  pro- 
longed backward  into  a  blunt  spur,  not  notched  or  divided.  The 
other  petals  and  sepals  lightly  unite,  forming  a  queer,  pointed 
little  hood  or  galea,  which  is  dark,  rich  crimson,  with  a  tinge 
of  purple,  in  color.  Capsules,  1  inch  long.  Height  of  plant,  6 
or  7  inches.     April  to  June. 

Rich  woods,  New  England  south  to  Georgia,  westward  to 
Nebraska,  and  in  the  mountains  of  Virginia,  where  it  may  be 
found  4,000  feet  high.  In  parts  of  Pennsylvania  this  orchis 
bears  the  name  of  preacher-in-the-pulpit.  (See  illustration, 
P-  247.) 

0.  rotundifblia.. — Color  of  sepals  and  petals  deep  pink,  except 
the  lip,  which  is  white,  spotted  with  purple.  One  roundish  or 
oval  leaf  is  borne  near  the  base  of  the  stem,  with  1  or  2  sheathing 
scales  below.  Flowers,  several,  in  a  spike,  at  the  end  of  a  stem  8 
to  10  inches  high,  from  a  creeping  rootstock.     May  and  June. 

Sometimes  found  in  swamps,  more  often  in  damp  woods 
from  New  England  to  Georgia,  westward  to  Dakota. 

Small  Purple   Fringed  Orchis 

Habenkria.  psycodes. — Family,  Orchis.  Color:  although  this  is 
named  a  purple  fringed  orchis,  I  prefer  to  call  it  a  deep  pink,  almost 
crimson,  occasionally  white.     Sepals  and  petals  small,  the  latter 

246 


showy    orchis    (Orchis    spectabilis) 

(See  pact'  »46) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

toothed,  varying  in  size.  The  lip  is  fan-shaped,  3 -divided,  all 
its  parts  being  deeply  fringed.  Spur,  thread-like,  thicker  above. 
The  delicate  blossoms  are  fragrant,  arranged  in  a  dense  spike,  6 
inches  or  less  long,  terminating  a  slender  stem  1  to  3  feet  high. 
Leaves,  the  lower,  oval  or  elliptical,  quite  large,  parallel-veined, 
passing  upward  into  bracts  which  underlie  the  flowers  in  the 
raceme.     July  and  August. 

In  wet  woods  or  swamps,  where  its  fleshy,  spreading, 
tuberous  roots  can  find  plenty  of  water.  New  England  to 
South  Carolina  and  westward.  The  specific  name  means 
a  butterfly,  referring  to  the  light,  poised  appearance  of  the 
flower  of  this  beautiful  orchid. 

Rose  Pogonia.     Snake's,  or  Adder's  Mouth 

Pogonia  ophioglossoides. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  pale  or  deep 
crimson;  rarely  white.  Sepals  and  petals  nearly  equal  in  size 
and  shape.  Lip,  flat,  drawn  downward,  much  crested,  yellow- 
fringed.  Leaves,  1,  rarely  2  or  3,  long,  near  the  middle  of  the 
stem,  with  a  bract  just  below  the,  usually,  single  flower.  June 
and  July. 

6  to  9  inches  high.  Newfoundland  to  Minnesota,  south- 
ward to  Florida.  Fragrant,  not  unpleasantly  so;  but  Tho- 
reau  says  of  it  that  it  has  a  "strong,  snaky  odor."  He 
evidently  did  not  like  this  orchid,  for  he  says  that  "  it 
smells  exactly  like  a  snake.  How  singular,  that  in  Nature, 
too,  beauty  and  offensiveness  should  be  thus  combined!" 
He  also  says  that  such  flowers  as  the  pogonia  and  calopogon 
"would  blush  still  deeper  if  they  knew  what  names  man 
had  given  them."  To  my  mind  this  is  a  very  pretty  bog- 
orchid. 

Nodding  Pogonia 

P.  trianthophora. — Color,  pink  or  pale  purple.  Flowers,  1  to  7, 
on  peduncles  which  spring  from  the  small  leaves,  at  first  erect, 
then  drooping.  Lip,  without  spur,  as  in  all  of  the  pogonias, 
3-lobed,  raised  on  a  claw,  roughish  on  the  surface.  Leaves,  sev- 
eral, ovate,  pointed,  alternate,  sessile  or  clasping.  July  and 
August. 

In  this  small  orchid,  3  to  8  inches  high,  3  or  4  upper 
leaves  stand  under  bright  flowers,  which  hang  and  nod  on 
long,  slender  pedicels.  Flower  £  inch  long.  Rare  in  New 
England.  Range  from  Canada  to  North  Carolina,  westward 
to  Alabama. 

248 


A 


]' 


CALOPOGON.       GRASS    PINK.       (CalopOgOH    pulclwllus) 
(See  pa^e  248) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Calopogon.     Grass  Pink 

Calopbgon  pulchettus. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  rose  and  a  pur- 
plish pink.  Leaf,  i,  long,  narrow,  grass-like.  Among  our  love- 
liest bog-orchids  is  the  beautiful  calopogon.  A  scape,  bearing  a 
single  leaf,  issuing  from  a  sheathing  base,  produces  a  few  rose- 
colored  flowers,  the  lowest  in  bloom  while  the  upper  ones  are 
still  in  bud.  The  lip  appears  above  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
flower,  broadened  at  terminus,  and  bearded  with  white,  yellow, 
and  crimson  hairs.  This  is  the  normal  position  of  the  lip.  In 
most  orchids  it  is  brought  under,  to  form  an  insect  platform, 
by  the  twisting  of  the  ovary.  In  this  the  ovary  does  not  twist. 
The  outer  sepal,  thus  brought  below,  is  large  and  broad,  and 
forms,  quite  as  well  as  the  lip,  a  place  for  the  visiting  insect  to 
stand  upon.      Root  a  bulb.     June  and  July. 

This  is  not  a  rare  plant.  Many  swamps  are  crimsoned  in 
spots  by  this  striking  and  beautiful  flower.  It  is  worth  one's 
while  to  leave  the  city  for  a  June  holiday  in  order  to  find 
the  calopogon  in  one  of  its  wet  haunts.  In  wet  meadows 
and  bogs.  Newfoundland  to  Minnesota  and  southward  to 
Florida  and  Missouri.      (See  illustration,  p.  249.) 

Arethusa 

Arethitsa.  bulbbsa. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  rose  pink.  Leaf, 
single,  4  to  6  inches  long,  narrow,  hidden  at  first,  appearing  after 
the  flower.  Lip,  pendent,  rounded  and  toothed  at  apex,  fringed, 
spotted  with  purple,  with  3  white  ridges  running  down  its  sur- 
face. Other  petals  and  sepals,  long,  narrow,  arching  over  the 
petal-like  column.     Fruit,  a  capsule  1  inch  long.     May  and  June. 

One  of  our  most  beautiful  orchids,  but  quite  local  in  its 
habit.  In  its  favorite  swamp  it  reappears  year  after  year 
with  unerring  certainty.  The  flower  is  an  inch  long,  sub- 
tended by  2  small  scales.  The  lip,  broadened  and  gracefully 
curved,  is  fringed  with  soft,  purplish  hairs.  The  root  is  a 
bulb.  From  it  arises  a  scape,  6  to  10  inches  tall,  at  first  leaf- 
less except  for  2  or  3  sheathing  bracts  at  its  base.  From  the 
upper  bract,  later,  the  linear  leaf  grows.  Why  this  orchid 
should  be  dedicated  to  the  nymph  Arethusa  can  hardly  be 
explained.  Diana  changed  the  nymph  into  a  fountain  in 
order  to  save  her  from  the  pursuit  of  a  too  ardent  lover. 
Does  the  arethusa  bury  itself  in  swamps  for  self-protection 
against  its  fond  admirers  who  love  it  and  pursue  it  almost 
to  its  extinction,  when  once  its  retreat  is  discovered? 

250 


PINK   AND    RED    GROUP 

Beautiful  Calypso.     Northern  Calypso 

Calypso  bulbosa. — Family,  Orchis.  Color  of  sepals  and  2  petals, 
crimson  or  magenta.  Lip  variegated.  (See  Chapter  of  Variegated 
Flowers,  p.  372.) 

Field  or  Sheep  Sorrel 

Rumex  Acetosella.  —  Family,  Buckwheat.  Flowers,  dioecious 
(pistils  and  stamens  in  different  flowers).  No  corolla.  Sepals, 
green  at  first,  later  with  the  loose  achenes,  the  whole  panicle  of 
flowers,  including  upper  stem  and  leaves,  becomes  a  ruddy  color. 
Leaves,  halberd-shaped  (eared  at  base),  mostly  clustered  at  root, 
but  some  smaller  on  stem.  Upper  leaves  clasp  the  stem  with 
thin,  silvery,  membranous,  stipular  sheaths. 

Low,  sour-tasting  herbs,  growing  from  somewhat  woody, 
creeping  rootstocks,  spreading  fast  in  cultivated  ground, 
often  becoming  a  troublesome  weed.  So  common  every- 
where as  to  redden  the  fields  where  they  grow. 

Coast  Knotgrass  or  Seaside  Knotweed 

Polygonum  maritimum. — Family,  Buckwheat.  Color,  white  or 
pink.     (See  White  Flowers,  p.  58.) 

P.  prolificum Color  of  sepals,  green  tipped  with  pink,  giving 

a  rosy  hue  to  the  flowers.  Stem,  rigid,  much  .branched,  prostrate 
or  ascending,  1  to  4  feet  long.  Leaves,  small,  linear  to  lance- 
shaped,  growing  at  the  joints  of  the  internodes  which  are  short 
and  sheathed  with  large,  silvery  ocrece.  These  become  frayed 
and  bristly.       July  to  September. 

A  seashore  plant,  found  from  Maine  to  Florida. 

Persicaria 

P.  pennsylvaniaim.  —  Color,  pink.  Flowers,  in  short,  thick, 
obtuse,  stiff  panicles.  Leaves,  lance-shaped,  very  acute  at  apex, 
often  8  or  10  inches  long,  hairy  along  the  midrib.  Branches  often 
dotted  with  little  stalked  glands.  Plant,  erect,  1  to  3  feet  tall. 
July  to  September. 

In  moist  soil  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida,  westward  to 
Texas.     Found  2,000  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

Water  Smartweed 

P.  acre,— Color,  white  or   light   pink.     (See   White   Flowers, 

p.  58.) 

251 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Prince's  Feather 

P.  orientate, — Color,  bright  rose.  Leaves,  with  petioles,  ovate, 
pointed  or  oblong,  sheathing  the  stem. 

Better  known  in  gardens,  from  which  it  has  escaped  and 
become  wild  in  some  places.  It  is  tall,  covered  with  soft, 
hairy  down.  Heavy,  dense  spikes  of  flowers  are  borne, 
drooping  and  showy.  Sheaths,  hairy,  often  turned  back 
along  the  upper  edge,  i  to  8  feet  high.  Originally  from 
India. 

Lady's  Thumb 

P.  Persickria. — Color,  pinkish.  This  species,  which  is  a  com- 
mon weed  in  almost  everybody's  garden,  may  be  known  by  the 
acute,  lance-shaped  leaves,  which  have  a  reddish-brown  triangular 
or  roundish  spot  near  the  middle.  Flowers,  in  erect,  dense,  pe- 
duncled  spikes.     All  summer. 

Waste  places,  especially  if  damp. 

Mild  Water  Pepper 

P.  hydropiperoides. — Color,  pale  pink  or  nearly  white.  Slender, 
erect  spikes  of  small  flowers,  flesh  color,  terminate  the  branches. 
Leaves,  narrow,  lance-shaped,  with  soft  hairs  along  the  midrib 
underneath.  Sheaths,  narrow,  bristly- fringed,  marked  with  short 
lines,  i  to  3  feet  high.  If  tasted  the  juice  is  acid  and  pungent. 
June  to  September. 

In  wet  places,  swamps,  and  even  growing  quite  in  water, 
over  all  the  country. 

P.  arifblium,  described  on  page  58,  may  be  taken  for  a  pink 
flower  since  its  calyx  is  green,  edged  with  pink. 

Buckwheat 
Fagopyrum  escutentum.— Family,  Buckwheat.  Color,  greenish, 
white  or  rose.  This  is  the  cultivated  buckwheat  famous  in  New 
England  buckwheat  cakes,  whose  seeds  often  take  root  in 
neighboring  fields  and  copses,  the  plant  reappearing  as  a  weed. 
Flowers  in  corymbose  racemes.  Between  the  stamens  there  are 
8  yellow,  honey-bearing  glands,  making  this  a  favorite  flower  of 
the  bee  tribe.  The  grain  is  3 -angled,  resembling  a  beech-nut. 
Hence  the  generic  name,  from  fagus,  a  beech. 

Coast  Jointweed 

Potygonella  articutata. — Family,  Buckwheat.  Color,  light  rose, 
almost  white.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  58.) 

252 


PINK   AND    RED    CROUP 

Red  Goosefoot.     Coast  Blite 

Chenopbdhtm  rubrum. — Family,  Goosefoot.  Color,  red.  Calyx, 
somewhat  fleshy,  2  to  4-lobed.  Stamens,  generally  2.  Stigmas, 
2.  Flowers,  small,  in  leafy,  compound,  axillary  and  terminal 
spikes.  The  plant  gets  its  color  from  the  calyx,  which  is  red  or 
purplish.  Leaves,  of  a  triangular  outline,  coarsely  toothed,  very 
acute,  thickish,  the  upper  long,  narrow,  petioled.  1  to  2J  feet 
high.     July  to  September. 

Along  the  seacoast,  in  salt  marshes,  from  Newfoundland 
to  New  Jersey  and  westward. 

Saltwort 
SMsola  Kali — Family,  Goosefoot.  Color,  a  dull  or  leaden  pink 
imparted  to  the  plant  from  the  wings,  which  make  a  circular  bor- 
der along  the  back  of  the  calyx  after  it  has  grown  and  inclosed  the 
fruit.  Flowers,  sessile,  single,  in  axils  of  awl-shaped,  very  pointed, 
small  leaves  ending  in  a  bristle.  Plant  rather  branched  and 
spreading,  1  to  2  feet  high. 

One  of  those  plants,  homely  annuals,  which  are  found 
everywhere  along  our  seashores. 

Sand  Spurrey 

Spergula.rU  "rubra Family,    Pink.      Color,   dark   pink  or  red. 

Sepals  and  petals,  5.  Stamens,  variable,  about  10.  Styles,  most- 
ly 3.  Leaves,  flat,  linear,  thick.  Stipules,  prominent,  sometimes 
cleft. 

A  low,  smooth  plant,  2  to  6  inches  high,  the  stems  upright 
or  prostrate.  Smaller  leaves  are  clustered  in  the  axils. 
Sandy  soil  near  the  coast,  extending  inland  from  Maine  to 
Virginia,  westward  to  Ohio. 

5.  manna. — This  is  a  more  strictly  marine  species,  with  fleshier 
leaves  and  lighter  pink  corolla,  found  along  the  entire  Atlantic- 
coast  and  in  saline  soils  inland. 

Lychnis  alba — Family,  Pink.  Color,  white  or  pink.  (See  White 
Flowers,  p.  66.) 

Ragged  Robin 

L.  Flos-cuculi. — Color,  red.     Calyx,  with  5  short  teeth.     Petals, 

5,  each  divided  into  4  long,  narrow  lobes.      These  linear  lobes. 

erect,   wavy,   or  curled,   make  the  flower  "ragged."     The  color 

suggests  the  red  breast  of  the  robin,  hence  the  common  name. 

2  53 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Flowers,  in  loose  panicles.  Stem,  erect,  sticky  above,  i  to  2 
feet  high.  Lower  leaves,  1  to  3  inches  long,  narrow,  petioled; 
upper,  small,  bract-like. 

Wet  soil,  in  waste  places,  New  Jersey  and  northward. 
Sometimes  cultivated. 

Red  Campion 

L.  dioica.  —  Color,  red,  rarely  white.  This  is  a  day  species. 
Calyx,  at  first  tubular,  becomes  swollen  and  round  in  fruit.  Petals, 
2 -cleft.  Leaves,  below,  with  long  petioles,  broad  at  apex,  but 
pointed,  2  to  3  inches  long;  those  on  stem  sessile,  rather  wide, 
all  with  the  petioles  very  hairy  and  sticky.  Flowers,  in  panicled 
cymes,  opening  in  the  morning. 

Found  in  cultivated  ground  or  in  waste  places  in  New 
England  and  the  Middle  States.  Not  common  enough  to 
be  called  a  weed,  yet  following  the  cultivator. 

Corn  Cockle 

Agrostemma    Githkgo Family,    Pink.     Color,    deep    crimson, 

spotted  with  black.  Calyx  of  5  long,  slender,  leaf-like  divisions, 
longer  than  the  corolla.  Petals,  5,  broad.  Stamens,  10.  Pistil, 
1.     Styles,  5.      1  to  3  feet  high.     Leaves,  long  and  narrow. 

In  England  this  attendant  upon  wheat-fields  is  considered 
a  nuisance.  If  its  black  seeds  become  mingled  with  the 
wheat  grains  to  any  extent,  they  are  unwholesome.  But 
the  flower,  although  established  here,  is  not  yet  common 
enough  to  be  accounted  troublesome.  The  plant  is  softly- 
hairy,  rather  plebeian-looking,  but,  on  account  of  its  bright 
color,  finds  favor. 

Sleepy  Catchfly 

Silene  antirrhma — Family,  Pink.  Color,  rose.  Calyx,  5-toothed, 
veined,  becoming  swollen  with  the  expanding  pod.  Petals,  5, 
stalked  or  clawed,  deeply  notched,  making  them  inversely  heart- 
shaped,  each  with  a  scale-like  growth  at  the  base  of  the  blade. 
Stamens,  10.  Styles,  3.  Flowers,  in  panicles,  small,  opening  only 
for  a  little  time  in  sunshine.  Stem,  slender,  with  swollen,  sticky, 
somewhat  glutinous  joints,  10  to  30  inches  high.  Leaves,  oppo- 
site, sessile  above,  long,  narrow;  those  near  the  root  with  short 
petioles,  sometimes  hairy.     June  to  September. 

Dry  soil  in  open  woods  or  waste  places,  New  England 
to  Florida  and  Mexico.  Found  over  3,000  feet  high  in 
Virginia. 

254 


c'\  ■ 


wild  pink  (Silene  pennsylvanica) 
(Sec  page  256) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Wild  Pink 

S.  pennsyl<vanica. — Color,  rose-pink.  Calyx,  long,  tubular,  vis- 
cid, hairy,  5-toothed.  Corolla  of  5  notched  or  rounded  petals 
standing  on  claws,  open  and  spreading,  with  a  crown  at  the  center 
where  the  broad  blade  is  joined  to  the  claw.  Stamens,  10.  Styles, 
3.  Leaves,  mostly  from  the  root,  clustered,  smooth,  on  hairy 
petioles,  narrowly  wedge-shaped,  long.  Often  a  single  pair  on 
stem,  narrow,  sessile.     May  and  June. 

A  low,  beautiful  plant  found  in  many  rocky  and  open 
woods  around  New  York  from  Massachusetts  southward. 
It  grows  in  tufts,  full  of  bright  color,  with  soft,  velvety  buds 
and  large,  open  flowers.      (See  illustration,  p.  255.) 

Fire  Pink.  Catchfly 
S.  <virginica.  —  Color,  deep  crimson,  nearly  scarlet.  Flowers, 
borne  on  slender  peduncles,  a  few  in  a  loose  cyme.  Stem,  1  to  2 
feet  high.  Petals,  2-cleft,  oblong.  Calyx,  bell-shaped,  some- 
what swollen  in  fruit,  with  thin,  dry,  membranaceous  teeth, 
viscid.  Leaves,  those  above  opposite,  long,  narrow;  those  at 
base  spatulate,  broad  at  apex,  tapering  into  broad  petioles,  3  to 
5  feet  long.  Flowers,  in  loose,  cymose  panicles.  May  to  Sep- 
tember. 

Dry,  open  woods,  New  Jersey  and  western  New  York  to 
Minnesota  and  southward. 

Bouncing  Bet.     Soapwort 

Saponaria  officinalis Family,  Pink.  Color,  light  rose,  or  some- 
times white  when  in  shaded  localities.  Calyx,  5-toothed.  Petals, 
10.  Stamens,  10.  Styles,  2.  Leaves,  lance-shaped,  the  lower 
ones  broader,  more  oval  than  the  others,  opposite,  smooth. 
Flowers,  corymbed  in  clusters,  generally  double.  Joints  of  stem 
swollen. 

A  slovenly  flower,  still  somewhat  cultivated,  but  often 
running  wild.  The  calyx  bursts  and  the  petals  seem  tum- 
bling out.  The  plant  is  from  1  to  2  feet  high,  and  has  a 
generally  back-yardish  appearance.  Along  roadsides  and  in 
old,  abandoned  gardens. 

Deptford  Pink 

Dianthus  Armeria Family,  Pink.     Color,  pink.     Calyx,  tubular, 

5-pointed.  Petals,  10,  pink  with  white  spots.  Stamens,  10. 
Styles,  2.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  hairy.  Flowers,  densely  clustered, 
terminal,  on  stiff,  erect  stems  6  to  18  inches  high. 

Formerly  cultivated,  and  now  escaped  in  many  places.      I 

256 


deptford  pink  (Dianthus  Armeria) 
(Sec  page  250) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

have  found  it  high  up  on  hillsides  and  in  low,  dry  fields. 
The  garden  Sweet  William  is  a  near  relative  of  this  pink.  An 
English  species  is  the  origin  of  our  cultivated  carnations  and 
clove  pinks.      (See  illustration,  p.  257.) 

Spring  Beauty 

Ctaytonia  <virginica.  —  Family,  Purslane.  Color,  pink  with 
deeper  veinings,  or  occasionally  white  with  pink  veinings.  Leaves, 
long,  narrow,  grass-like,  thick,  a  pair  opposite,  on  the  stem. 
Sepals,  2.  Petals,  5.  Stamens,  5,  joined  to  the  petals.  Flowers, 
few,  in  a  loose  raceme,  on  long,  thick,  fleshy  stems,  from  a  small 
tuberous  root.     April  and  May. 

Delicate,  star-like  blossoms,  on  fragile  stems.  When 
plucked,  the  petals  quickly  close  and  the  whole  plant  droops. 
It  is  at  best  but  an  evanescent  beauty,  opening  only  in  sun- 
light, closing  at  night.  6  to  12  inches  high.  The  flowers  all 
turn  in  one  direction  —  as  the  botanists  say,  are  secund. 
Common  in  all  our  woods.      (See  illustration,  p.  259.) 

C.  caroliniana  has  broader  leaves,  fewer  and  smaller  blossoms. 
The  two  species  are  not  often  found  together.  The  closing  of 
the  petals  at  night  seems  to  bring  about  self-pollination,  for  the 
pollen  falls  upon  the  petals,  and  they  fold  over  and  drop  the 
grains  on  the  stigma. 

There  is  no  prettier  sight  than  a  wood  whose  trees  are 
lightly  leaved  out  in  early  May,  carpeted  thickly  with  the 
Claytonia's  pink  stars.      Bryant  says: 

"  And  the  spring  beauty  boasts  no  tenderer  streak 
Than  the  soft  red  on  many  a  youthful  cheek." 

Wild  Columbine 

Aquilegia  canadensis, — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  red  and  yel- 
low.    (See  Variegated  Flowers,  p.  372.) 

Pale  Corydalis 

Corydalis  sempervirens.  — Family,  Fumitory.  Color  of  petals,  a 
delicate  rose,  tipped  with  yellow.  Sepals,  2,  small,  like  scales. 
Corolla  of  4  petals,  the  upper  extending  into  a  short,  rounded 
spur.  Stamens,  6,  in  2  sets  of  3  each,  the  middle  stamen  of  each 
group  bearing  a  2-celled,  the  outside  ones  a  1 -celled,  anther. 
Pistil,  1,  making  a  long,  slender  pod.  Flowers,  about  h  inch  long, 
in  panicled  clusters.  Leaves,  delicate,  pale  green,  pinnately  cut 
or  divided,  the  upper  almost  sessile,  the  lower  with  short  petioles, 

258 


spring  beauty  (Claytonia  virginica) 

(See  page  25S) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

i  to  4  inches  long.     Stem,  erect,  leafy,  and  branching.     April  to 
September. 

A  delicate  plant,  2  feet  high  or  less.  It  grows  by  prefer- 
ence on  moist,  shaded  rocks.  If  there  be  fairies  among 
flowers,  this  is  one.  New  England  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
Found  4,500  feet  high  in  North  Carolina. 

Common   Fumitory 

Fumaria  officinalis  (name  means  "smoke,"  from  the  smoke- 
like smell  of  the  roots  when  pulled  out  of  the  ground) . — Family, 
Fumitory.  Color,  a.  light  pink  tipped  with  dark  crimson.  Of 
the  4  petals  the  outer  pair  is  large,  erect,  joined  together,  and 
one  of  them  is  spurred.  Pod,  roundish,  containing  one  seed. 
Flowers,  quite  small,  in  a  long,  dense  spike,  short  -  peduncled. 
Stems,  I  to  3  feet  long.    Leaves,  finely  dissected,  petioled.    Summer. 

Near  dwellings  and  neglected  places,  sometimes  on  bal- 
last, in  all  the  Eastern  and  Gulf  States.     Not  common. 

Cuckoo  Flower 

Ca.rda.mine  pratensis. — Family,  Mustard.  Color,  white  or  pink. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  80.) 

Spider  Flower 

Ctedme  spinosa. — Family,  Caper.  Color,  white  or  pink.  (See 
White  Flowers,  p.  81.) 

Bowman's  Root.     Indian  Physic 

Gillenia  trifoliata — Family,  Rose.  Color,  pale  pink  or  white. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  86.) 

Queen  of  the  Prairie 

Filipendula  rubra* — Family,  Rose.  Color  of  petals,  deep  pink. 
Sepals  and  petals,  generally  5,  sometimes  4.  Stamens,  numerous. 
The  fragrant  flowers  are  borne,  clustered,  in  a  long,  compound 
panicle,  on  a  long  peduncle.  Leaves,  pinnate,  with  a  large,  ter- 
minal leaflet,  deeply  cut  into  7  to  9  lobes,  attended  by  prominent, 
kidney-shaped  stipules.  Lateral  leaflets  sessile.  2  to  8  feet  high. 
June  and  July. 

A  stately  plant  adorning  the  meadows  and  prairies  south 
and  west  of  Pennsylvania,  sometimes  cultivated  in  the  North- 
east. Its  leaves,  when  crushed,  give  forth  the  odor  of  sweet 
birch. 

Hoary  Pea.     Goat's  Rue.     Catgut 
Tephrbsia    <virginiana.  —  Family,    Pulse.     Color,   pale  lemon   or 
white,  marked  with  deep  pink  or  purple.     More  fully  analyzed, 

260 


PINK    AND   RED  GROUP 

of  the  papilionaceous  corolla  the  standard  is  a  greenish  yellow, 
broad,  turned  back  in  the  full-blossomed  flower,  th< 
wings  cohere  with  the  keel  which  is  a  pale  yellow  tipped  and 
marked  with  rose.  Leaves,  compound,  with  g  to  »g  leaflets,  one 
odd,  terminating  the  stem,  all  tipped  with  a  minute  point.  June 
and  July. 

Sandy  soil  from  New  Hampshire  to  Minnesota  and  south- 
ward, common  near  the  coast.  Roots  long  and  slender,  with 
a  toughness  which  gives  the  name  catgut.  The  plant  grows 
erect,  i  to  2  feet,  with  thick,  brittle  stems,  in  large  clumps, 
in  sandy  soil,  especially  edging  pine  woods.  The  i\<  >wcrs  gn  >w 
in  long  panicles,  through  which  are  scattered  a  few  K-. 
The  panicle  is  often  ragged-looking,  the  blossoms  below  be- 
ing withered  and  dried.  The  entire  plant  is  white,  silky, 
hairy.  The  blossoms,  with  their  striking  color  and  1. 
size,  make  a  showy  plant. 

T.  spickta, —  A  straggling,  branching  species,  covered  with 
brownish  hairs,  with  few  reddish  flowers  in  a  loose,  interrupted 
spike,  borne  on  a  long  peduncle.  Leaflets  of  the  pinnate  leaves, 
9  to  15,  broad,  oblong  or  wedge-shaped,  generally  notched.  2 
feet  high.     May  to  July. 

Dry  soil  from  Delaware  and  Virginia  southward. 

T.  hispidula.  —  Color,  deep  crimson.  Slender-stemmed,  strag- 
gling, 2  feet  high  or  less.  2  to  4  flowers  in  a  spike  on  a  long 
peduncle.     Leaves,  similar  to  the  last.     May  to  July. 

Range  the  same  as  the  last. 

Coronilla 

Coronitta  <varia. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  deep  rose.  Flowers, 
papilionaceous,  grouped  in  umbels  from  slender  peduncles  spring- 
ing out  of  the  leaf-axils.  Pods,  long,  3  to  7-jointed,  4-angled. 
Leaves,  compound,  7  to  12  pairs  of  small,  oblong  leaflets,  with  1 
odd,  terminal.     All  summer. 

This  pretty,  hardy  plant,  escaped  from  cultivation,  borders 
the  roadsides  in  many  places  in  Connecticut  and  Long 
Island  to  New  Jersey.  From  underground  runners  ascend- 
ing stems  arise  to  the  height  of  2  feet.  It  is  becoming  more 
common  every  year. 

Herb   Robert.     Cranesbill 

Geranium  Robertianum  (generic  name  means  a  "crane,"  from  the 
long  beak  on  the  pod). — Family,  Geranium.     Color,  deep  crimson. 

261 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Sepals  and  petals,  5.  Stamens,  10.  Sepals,  tipped  with  a  short 
awn,  rough,  hairy,  with  the  stems  often  reddish.  A  strong  scent 
pervades  the  plant,  coming  from  resinous  glands  which  are  scat- 
tered in  the  foliage.  Flowers,  small,  single,  or  2  or  3  together 
among  the  leaves,  from  forking  stems.  Leaves,  3  to  5-divided, 
the  divisions  twice  dissected.     June  to  October. 

This  is  one  of  those  plants  which,  by  the  sudden,  elastic 
bursting  of  its  pods,  scatters  its  seed  a  long  distance,  often 
several  feet.  Named  after  Robert,  Duke  of  Normandy. 
Damp,  shaded  woods,  Quebec  to  New  Jersey,  westward  to 
Minnesota. 

Wild  Cranesbill.     Wild  Geranium 

G.  ma.cula.tum.  —  Color,  crimson  or  purplish  pink.  Sepals,  5. 
Petals,  5,  on  claws  Stamens,  10,  5  longer  than  the  others,  with 
glands  at  their  base.  Fruit,  of  5  carpels,  each  tipped  with  a 
long,  hooked  beak.  When  ripe  the  valves  burst  open  elastically, 
setting  the  seed  free.  Flowers,  1,  2,  or  3  together,  from  rough, 
hairy  stems  which  grow  from  perennial  rootstocks.  The  older 
leaves  become  whitish.  Leaves,  4  or  5-parted,  the  divisions 
wedge-shaped,  cut,  or  lobed.     April  to  July. 

Woods,  open  and  dry,  or  in  fields  everywhere.  Very 
common,  one  of  the  early,  welcome  spring  flowers.  The 
flower  and  fruit  will  bear  study. 

The  favorite  garden  geraniums  (pelargoniums) ,  with  their 
various  colors  and  markings,  are  related  to  this  humble  wild 
flower. 

G.  caroliniknum. — Color,  pale  pink.  Sepals  and  petals,  5,  the 
sepals  hairy,  pointed,  equaling  the  corolla  in  length.  Stamens, 
5  or  10,  with  glands  at  their  base.  Ovary,  5-lobed,  with  5  styles 
which  remain  as  tips  on  the  long  beaks  of  the  fruit.  Flowers, 
small,  in  cymose  heads,  pedicelled,  on  a  short  common  peduncle. 
Stems,  hairy,  much  branched,  forking  above.  Leaves,  palmately 
5-parted,  the  divisions  cut  into  long,  narrow  lobes.  May  and 
June. 

In  sterile  soil  or  rocky  places  from  Massachusetts  south- 
ward and  westward. 

Fringed  Polygala.     Flowering  Wintergreen 

Polygala  pauciflbra. — Family,  Milkwort.  Color,  crimson.  Sepals, 
5,  but  2  of  them,  the  wings,  are  colored  like  petals.  Petals,  3,  the 
lowest,  the  keel,  larger  than  the  other  2,  and  beautifully  fringed. 
Stamens,  6.     Fruit,  a  1 -celled  pod,  notched  at  the  top.     Flowers, 

262 


FRINGED  polygala    {Poly gala  paucijolia) 
(See  page  263) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

i  to  3,  on  long  peduncles,  at  the  top  of  the  low  stem,  which  is 
about  4  inches  high.  Leaves,  small,  mere  scales  below;  larger 
above,  ovate,  petioled,  many  at  the  summit,  sometimes  appear- 
ing as  if  whorled  just  under  the  flowers.     May  and  June. 

A  beautiful  early  flower,  its  peculiar  shape  suggesting  an 
orchid.  The  flowering  branches  spring  from  underground 
stems.  These  bear,  later,  small,  homely  flowers  close  to  the 
ground,  which  pollinate  themselves  in  the  bud.  Open  woods. 
Not  uncommon.      (See  illustration,  p.  263.) 

Racemed  Milkwort 
P.  polgyama.  —  Color,  deep  crimson.  Stamens,  8.  Wings, 
longer  than  the  keel.  Crest  of  corolla  somewhat  cut.  Flowers, 
showy,  in  a  long,  terminal  raceme,  on  short  pedicels.  When  old 
they  curve  backward.  Leaves,  small,  many  on  the  simple  stem, 
oblong  or  lance  -  shaped,  smaller  below,  sessile.  Root  -  leaves 
petioled.  Taller  than  the  last,  4  to  9  inches  high.  Stems,  clus- 
tered from  deep  and  slender  roots.     Biennial.     June  and  July. 

From  the  root  short,  underground  runners  spring,  bearing 
a  loose  raceme  of  inconspicuous,  self-pollinating  flowers.     Dry 
soil  from  Maine  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Field  Milkwort 

P.  sangainea. — Color,  deep  purplish  red.  Calyx,  of  3  small, 
green  sepals  and  2  large,  colored  wings.  Corolla  of  3  petals,  the 
keel  crested.  Stamens,  6  or  8.  Leaves,  scattered  on  stem,  sim- 
ple, entire,  long,  narrow.  Fruit,  a  pod,  flat  and  notched  at  the 
top.  Flowers,  clustered  in  a  globular  head,  like  clover,  which 
elongates  as  it  grows  older.  Stems,  branched  and  leafy.  June 
to  September. 

A  pretty  flower  found  in  various  soils,  moist  and  dry,  by 
roadsides,  mostly  in  wet  meadows,  where  it  is  often  so  plenti- 
ful as  to  make  masses  of  color.  Common,  from  New  Eng- 
land westward  and  southward. 

P.  marikna., — Color,  rose  purple.  A  slender,  smooth  species 
with  flowers  collected  in  button-like  heads  on  pedicels.  Lower 
flowers,  with  their  bracts,  fall  soon,  leaving  the  stem  rough.  Leaves, 
about  \  inch  long,  scattered  on  the  stem,  which  is  6  to  16  inches 
high.     July  to   September. 

Dry  or  moist  sandy  soil,  common,  from  southern  New 
England  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

P.  Nuttallii.  —  Color,  greenish  or  dull  purple.  (See  under 
Purple  Flowers,  p.  319.) 

264 


PINK   AND    RED    GROUP 

Milk  Purslane.      Spotted  Spurge 
Euphorbia,   maculata. —  Family,   Spurge.     Color,   red,   imparted 
by  the  glands  of  the  involucre.      (See  description  of  the  Spurge 

Flower,  p.  9.)  Leaves,  small,  oblong,  narrow,  slightly  and 
finely  toothed  near  the  apex,'  about  \  inch  long.  They  are  gen- 
erally marked  with  a  dark,  reddish  spot  near  the  middle.  Stipules 
present,  narrow,  fringed.  The  flowers  grow  in  heavy  clusters  on 
rather  long  peduncles  along  the  sides  of  the  branches.  Stem, 
prostrate,  often  dark  red,  2  to  15  inches  long. 

Common  in  open  places,  along  roadsides,  in  dry  fields. 
Marsh   Mallow 

Althaea  officinalis  (name  means  "to  cure,"  in  allusion  to  sup- 
posed healing  properties). — Family,  Mallow.  Color,  pale  rose 
Sepals,  5,  united  at  base.  Outside  of  these  are  6  to  9  long,  nar- 
row, green  bractlets.  Corolla,  of  5  petals  about  1  inch  across. 
Stamens,  many,  united  at  base,  making  a  column  or  ring  around 
the  pistils,  the  anthers  separate  above.  Styles,  projecting  beyond 
the  anthers,  as  many  as  the  divisions  of  the  ovary,  stigmatic  along 
their  inner  sides.  Flowers,  in  axils  and  terminal,  racemose. 
Leaves,  alternate,  broad,  generally  3-lobed,  deeply  toothed,  ovate 
or  heart-shaped  at  base,  palmately  veined,  covered  with  velvety 
down.     Stem,  erect,  2  to  4  feet  high,  bushy,  leafy. 

Salt  marshes  on  the  coast  of  New  England  and  New  York 
southward.  The  root,  full  of  mucilage,  is  used  by  con- 
fectioners for  the  favorite  marsh  mallows,  also  somewhat  in 
medicine. 

High    Mallow 

Mal<va  sylvestris — Family,  Mallow.  Color,  reddish  purple  or 
deep  crimson.  Calyx,  of  5  sepals  with  an  underlying  involucre  of 
3  bractlets.  Corolla  of  5  large,  notched  petals,  three  times  the 
length  of  the  calyx.  Stamens  and  styles  much  like  the  last. 
Fruit,  a  ring  of  blunt,  roundish,  wrinkled,  veiny,  1 -sided  carpels. 
Flowers,  in  axillary  clusters,  on  slender  pedicels.  Leaves,  5  to 
7-lobed,  sharply  toothed,  kidney-shaped,  square  at  base.  Stem, 
2  to  3  feet  high.     Summer. 

A  wayside  plant,  also  found  in  old  gardens,  common. 

Musk  Mallow 
M.  moschata. — Color,  white  or  pink.      (See  White   Flowers,  p. 
92.) 

Swamp  Rose  Mallow 
Hibiscus  Moscheutos. — Family,  Mallow.      Color,  rose,  sometimes 
white.     Calyx,    5-divided,   surrounded    by    many  narrow  bracts. 

265 


rose  mallow  (Hibiscus  Moscheutos) 
(See  page  265) 


PINK   AND    RED   CROUP 

Corolla  of  5  petals,  measuring  6  inches  across,  bell-shaped,  wither- 
ing at  the  close  of  one  day.  Stamens  and  pistils  in  a  column  like 
the  preceding.  In  this  genus  the  column  is  long,  with  anthers 
covering  most  of  its  length.  Styles  have  club-shaped  stigmas. 
Pod,  5-celled,  many-seeded.  Leaves,  alternate,  broad,  petioled, 
much  pointed  and  toothed,  the  lower  3-divided,  smooth  above, 
softly  downy  beneath,  palmately  veined.     August  and  September. 

Taller  than  the  preceding,  4  to  7  feet  high,  with  flowers 
far  more  showy  and  richer  in  color.  In  August  the  Newark 
meadows,  down  the  New  Jersey  coast,  and  the  dunes  along 
the  bay  fronts  of  Long  Island  are  glorious  with  the  bloom  of 
this  splendid  flower.  It  bears  transplanting,  and  will  grow 
quite  well  in  soil  drier  than  its  native  marshes.  The  bushes 
form  dense,  hedge-like  borders  or  grow  in  clumps  back  from 
the  water's  edge.  A  white  blossom  with  dark-red  center  is 
sometimes  found.  Near  the  coast  from  Massachusetts  south- 
ward.     (See  illustration,  p.  266.) 

H.  syrtacas  is  the  althaea  of  our  gardens.  It  is  a  tall,  tree-like 
shrub,  with  pointed  and  cut  leaves.  The  flower  is  large,  rose- 
color  or  white,  with  brown  spots. 

Kosteletzkya  <virginica. — Family,  Mallow.  Color,  pink.  Flow- 
ers, 2  inches  across.  The  plant  is  from  2  to  4  feet  high,  rough 
hairy.     Leaves,  mostly  heart-shaped,  the  lower  3-lobed.     August. 

In  marshes  along  the  coast,  New  York  and  southward. 

Marsh  St.  John's-wort 

Hypericum  <virgmicum. — Family,  St.  John's-wort.  Color,  pink. 
Sepals  and  petals,  5.  Styles,  3.  Stamens,  9,  every  3  stamens 
separated  by  yellow  glands.  Leaves,  opposite,  dotted,  broad, 
blunt,  not  tapering  at  either  end,  almost  clasping  the  stem,  pale 
green,  entire.  Stems,  simple,  profusely  branching,  about  1  foot 
high,  stolon-bearing.     July  and  August. 

The  pretty  pink  flowers,  less  than  half  an  inch  broad, 
grow  often  singly  or  in  pairs,  or  sometimes  in  clusters  in  the 
leaf-axils  or  terminating  the  branches.  They  quickly  fade, 
and  deep  red  pods  take  their  place.  Late  in  the  season  the 
stems  and  leaves  turn  a  dark  crimson.  Common  in  the 
Eastern  States.      (See  illustration,  p.  268.) 

Pinweed 

Lechea  maritima. — Family,  Rockrose.  Color,  reddish.  Sepals, 
5,  2  shorter  than  the  others.      Petals,  3.     Stamens,  man  v.      Pistil, 

267 


>, 


XYM 


marsh  ST.  john's-wort  (Hypericum  virginicum) 
(See  page  267) 


PINK  AND    RED   GROUP 

with  3  stigmas.  Flowers,  dull,  insignificant,  in  a  Loose,  leafy,  broad- 
ly pyramidal  panicle.    Leaves, opposite, some  whorled,  long,  narrow, 

the  lower  ones  broader  than  those  above,  downy,  hoary. 
In  sand,  near  the  coast,  from  Maine  to  Georgia. 

Spiked  Loosestrife 

Lythrum  Salichria. —  Family,  Loosestrife.  Color,  magenta. 
Calyx,  a  tube  with  5  to  7  teeth,  and  small  projections  between. 
Corolla,  of  about  6  long,  often  twisted  petals.  Stamens,  12,  6 
longer,  6  shorter.  Flowers,  large,  in  a  crowded  spike.  /. 
lance-shaped,  heart-shaped  at  base,  often  in  whorls  of  threes. 
Plant,  tall,  2  to  3  feet  high,  softly  downy. 

A  beautiful  importation  from  England,  found  plentifully 
in  swamps  in  Orange  County,  New  York,  and  elsewhere.  It 
is  remarkable  as  an  example  of  trimorphism,  the  two  sets  of 
stamens  and  pistils  being  of  different  lengths  in  the  same 
flower.  Every  pistil,  in  order  to  effect  pollination,  must 
receive  the  pollen  from  a  stamen  of  the  same  length  in  an- 
other flower.  Professor  Darwin  experimented  with  these 
flowers,  and  wrote  about  them  to  Doctor  Gray:  "I  am  al- 
most stark,  staring  mad  over  lythrum.     If  I  can  prove  what 

1  really  believe,  it  is  a  grand  case  of  trimorphism,  with  three 
different  pollens  and  three  stigmas.  I  have  fertilized  above 
ninety  flowers,  trying  all  the  eighteen  distinct  crosses  which 
are  possible  within  the  limits  of  this  one  species.  For  the 
love  of  Heaven,  have  a  look  at  some  of  your  species,  and,  if 
you  can  get  me  some  seed,  do."     (See  illustration,  p.  270.) 

Swamp  Loosestrife.  Water  Willow.  Willow  Herb 
Decodon  verticillktus  (name  from  the  Greek,  meaning  "  ten- 
toothed,"  alluding  to  the  calyx  -  teeth) . —  Family,  Loosest  rite. 
Color,  magenta.  Calyx,  bell-shaped,  5  to  7-toothed,  with  other 
slender  teeth  between,  one  in  each  sinus:  Stamens,  10,  5  longer, 
and  5  shorter,  alternate  with  them.  The  filaments  of  the  longer 
stamens  are  very  slender  and  project  from  the  corolla.  Trimor- 
phous.  One  pistil,  and  the  fruit  a  round  capsule,  3  to  5-celled. 
Flowers,  in  close  sessile  heads  or  cymes  in  the  upper  leaf-axils, 
on  purplish  pedicels.  Rather  large  and  showy.  Sometimes 
flowers  are  double.     Leaves,   opposite  or  whorled,   lance-shaped, 

2  to  5  inches  long,  pointed  at  both  ends.      Ste>n,  somewhat  woody, 

3  to  10  feet  long,  rooting  from  the  tip  if  it  happens  to  reach  the 
water  or  mud.     July  to  September. 

Swamps,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  westward.  Found 
2,000  feet  high  in  Pennsylvania.     Often  an  aquatic. 

269 


spiked  loosestrife   (Lythrum  Salicaria) 
(See  page  269) 


PINK   AND    RED    GROUP 

Meadow  Beauty.     Deergrass 
Rhexia   <virginica. —  Family,    Melastoma.     Color,  deep   rose   or 

magenta.  Calyx  -  tube  long  and  narrow,  4  -  divided,  purplish, 
covered  on  the  outside  with  glandular-tipped  hairs.  Petals,  4, 
with  the  8  stamens  joined  to  the  rim  of  the  calyx-tube.  Anil 
large,  prominent,  curved,  of  a  bright -yellow  color.  They  open 
by  a  small  hole. at  the  top  for  the  exit  of  the  pollen  grains,  and 
where  they  are  fastened  to  the  filaments  they  bear  a  tiny  spur. 
Style  and  stigma,  1.  Leaves,  opposite,  sessile,  lance-shaped, 
pointed,  bristly  around  the  edges,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  upon 
the  surfaces.     July  to  September. 

As  the  petals  take  slight  hold  and  drop  soon  after  flower- 
ing, and  almost  as  soon  as  plucked,  the  flower  then  appears, 
from  its  large  stamens,  to  be  yellow.  The  stem  is  square, 
with  distinct  angles.  Flowers,  single  or  several,  in  loose 
cymose  clusters.  A  pretty  species,  growing  in  wet  sand  or 
marshy  borders  of  streams,  from  4  to  10  inches  high.  I 
have  seen  them  in  beds  showing  their  pink  color  in  masses 
for  quite  a  distance.  In  sandy  swamps  from  Maine  to 
Florida.      (See  illustration,  p.  272.) 

R.  marikna. — This  species  has  paler  petals  and  narrower  leaves. 
The  stem  is  round,  very  softly  hairy.  1  to  2  feet  high.  Leaves, 
3-nerved,  bristly  around  the  edges,  generally  sessile.  June  to 
September. 

In  pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey,  and  swamps  as  far  south  as 
Florida  and  westward. 

Water  Purslane 

Ludvigia  palustris.  —  Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color  of 
petals,  when  present,  red  or  reddish.  Leaves,  small,  opposite, 
petioled,  oval  or  roundish  with  curving  veins.  This  is  at  times 
an  aquatic  plant;  or  it  is  found  in  swamps,  its  stems  lying  on  the 
mud,  creeping  and  rooting.  Petals,  none  when  in  water,  small 
and  reddish  when  out.  The  lobes  of  the  calyx  remain,  crowning 
the  fruit,  which  is  a  4-sided  capsule  full  of  small  seeds.  Flo* 
closely  sessile,  somewhat  fleshy,  small,  without  beauty,  green,  and 
stiff.     Stems,  smooth,  4  to  15  inches  long.     July  and  August. 

Common  along  wet  shores  or  in  swamps  or  moist  ditches. 

Great  Willow  Herb.     Fireweed 
Epildbium    angusti folium. — Family,    Evening    Primrose.      ( 
magenta.     Calyx-tube,    deeply    4-lobed.      Petals,    4.     Stamens,    8, 
maturing  before  the  pistil.     Pistil,   1,  with   a  4-lobed,  spreading 
18  27l 


meadow  beauty,     deergrass.      (Rhexia  virginica) 
(See  page  271) 


PROPERTY  OF 

kt  M.  COLLEGE  LIBRARY. 


PINK    AND    RED    GROUP 

stigma.     Pod,  long,  at   length   bursting  and  liberating  seeds  fur- 
nished with  downy  white  tufts.     The  flowers  arc  large,  in 
racemes,    terminating    the    stem.      The    lower    ones    mature 
while  the  uppermost  are  still  in  bud,  giving  an  untidy  appearance 
to   the   whole   spike.      Leaves,   long,    narrow,    willowy,  scattered, 
pinnately  veined.     July  and  August. 

A  tall,  handsome  plant,  growing  in  low  meadows  and  in 
burned-over  districts.  So  the  pine  woods,  which  arc  subject 
to  frequent  fires,  give  rise  to  this  pink  flower  in  great  abun- 
dance. It  illustrates  one  of  nature's  devices  for  covering 
ugliness  with  beauty. 

Long-leaved  Willow  Herb 
E.  densum. —  Color,  pink,  or  sometimes  white  (see  p.  98), 
Calyx-tube,  5-lobed.  Petals,  4,  notched.  Stamens,  8.  Stigma, 
club-shaped.  Leaves,  narrow,  1  or  2  inches  long,  opposite  or 
alternate,  with  smaller  ones  clustered  in  the  axils,  their  e 
turned  back.  Flowers,  in  the  upper  axils,  on  slender  pedicels, 
small.  Stem,  much  branched  near  the  top,  whitish  with  soft 
down,  from  a  perennial  root.     July  to  September. 

In  swamps  or  open,  low  fields  north  of  New  Jersey  and 
Delaware.  A  plant  slightly  hairy,  with  pods  on  long  stalks 
and  seeds  crowned  with  fine  hairs  by  which  they  are  blown 
about. 

Downy  or  Soft  Willow  Herb 

E.  molle, — Somewhat  taller  than  the  last,  more  downy,  cov- 
ered with  whitish,  incurved  hairs.  Leaves,  slightly  broader, 
short-petioled  or  sessile.  Flowers,  small,  in  the  upper  axils. 
The  tufts  of  hairs  belonging  to  the  seeds  are  very  soft  and  silky. 
July  to  September. 

In  all  the  plants  of  this  genus,  the  calyx-tube  is  much 
prolonged  beyond  the  ovary,  and  must  not  be  mistaken  tor 
the  real  flower-stalk.  Bogs,  Maine  to  Minnesota,  south  to 
Virginia. 

Purple-leaved  Willow  Herb 

E.  color atum. — Color,  pink,  or  rarely  white.  Flmuers,  numer- 
ous on  the  upper  branches.  Leaves,  with  toothed  margins,  petioled 
or  sessile,  lance-shaped,  acute  at  apex,  tapering  at  base.  Stem 
and  leaves  purplish.  Plant,  covered  with  whitish  hairs  in  lines 
or  streaks,  1  to  3  feet  high.  Seeds  Furnished  with  a  tuft  of  brown 
hairs.     July  to  September. 

Low,  moist  grounds,  Maine  to  Wisconsin  and  southward, 
Found  2,000  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

273 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Gaura 
Gaura  biennis,  —  Family,  Evening  Primrose.  Color,  white  at 
first,  turning  pink.  Calyx-tube,  much  prolonged  beyond  the  ovary, 
4-lobed.  Corolla  of  4  petals,  clawed.  Stamens,  8,  drooping,  their 
long  filaments  with  a  scale  at  the  base  of  each.  Stigma,  4-lobed, 
surrounded  by  a  curious,  raised  border,  capping  a  long  style 
which  droops  also  with  the  stamens.  Flowers,  small,  in  slender 
spikes  on  the  ends  of  the  upper  branches.  Leaves,  alternate, 
sessile,  oblong  to  lance-shaped,  slightly  toothed,  2  to  4  inches 
long.  Fruit,  rather  large,  softly  hairy,  4-ribbed,  acute  at  each 
end.     July  to  September. 

Dry  soil,  New  England  to  Minnesota,  southward  to  Geor- 
gia and  Arkansas. 

Prince's  Pine.     Pipsissewa 

Chimaphila  umbettata  (name  from  two  Greek  words  signifying 
"to  love  winter."  One  of  its  popular  names  is  wintergreen) . — 
Family,  Heath.  Color,  light  pink  with  a  purple  tinge  from  the 
anthers.  Sepals,  5.  Petals,  5,  round,  concave,  open.  Stamens, 
10,  with  hairy  filaments,  and  purple,  2 -horned  anthers  which  open 
by  means  of  chinks.  Pistil,  1,  with  a  broad,  sticky  stigma  5- 
divided  along  the  border.  Leaves,  shining,  smooth,  evergreen, 
acute  at  apex,  lance-shaped,  sharply  toothed,  whorled  or  scat- 
tered on  the  stem,  from  1  to  2  J  inches  long.  The  branches  are 
stout,  rising  from  a  stem  lying  on  or  under  the  ground,  reach- 
ing sometimes  a  foot  in  height.  2  to  8  flowers  in  umbels,  each  on 
slender  pedicels.     June  to  August. 

A  beautiful  plant  embodying  the  very  essence  of  the 
woods.  Later  in  the  season,  when  the  blossoms  are  gone, 
by  pulling  up  one  of  the  long,  just  underground  stems  cov- 
ered with  the  leaf  branches,  we  have  a  pretty  bit  of  festoon- 
ing for  the  house.     Let  only  one  out  of  many  be  taken. 

Spotted  Wintergreen 

C.  maculkta. — Color,  pink  or  almost  white.  This  woodsy  plant 
resembles  the  last  except  that  its  leaves  are  spotted  or  striped 
with  white.  Leaves,  widely  toothed,  the  lowest  being  smaller 
than  the  others.  Flowers,  1  to  3  on  long  peduncles,  their  pedicels 
becoming  much  elongated  in  fruit.  Petals,  waxy,  with  a  slight 
fragrance.     3  to  10  inches  high.     June  and  July. 

Late  in  the  summer  it  should  become  a  pleasant  pastime 
with  us  to  seek  out  and  study  the  fruit  of  our  flowers,  es- 
pecially after  the  pods  have  grown  to  full  size,     Dry,  open 

274 


Fireweed       Great  Willow-herb. 

(Epiiobium  angvsti/c,;: 


SPOTTED    WINTERGREEN    [Chi  nui  p!i  ilu    ni.it  ulcUo] 
(See  page  274  I 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

woods,  Maine  to  Minnesota,  southward  to  Georgia  and 
Mississippi.  Found  4,200  feet  high  in  North  Carolina.  (See 
illustration,  p.  275.) 

One-flowered  Pyrola 

Moneses  uniflbra — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white  or  pink.  (See 
White  Flowers,  p.  108.) 

Pinesap.     False  Beech  Drops 

Monotropa  Hypopitis.— Family,  Heath.  Color,  red  or  somewhat 
brownish.  Flowers,  several  in  1 -sided  racemes,  the  terminal  flower 
with  its  parts  in  fives,  the  others  with  3  or  4  sepals  and  petals. 
At  first  nodding,  the  spike  of  flowers  becomes  erect.  Stamens, 
6  to  10.  Ovary,  3  to  5 -celled.  No  leaves,  but  a  succession  of 
colored  bracts  overlapping  one  another  at  the  base  of  the  thick 
stem,  which  arises  from  a  dense  cluster  of  fleshy,  fibrous  roots. 
Stem,  10  to  12  inches  high.     June  to  October. 

There  is  a  pleasant  fragrance  about  the  flowers.  The 
plant  is  a  parasite,  as  is  revealed  by  the  total  absence  of 
green  chlorophyll  grains  in  any  of  its  parts.  In  almost  any 
pine  or  oak  woods,  open  or  heavy,  looking  in  the  distance 
like  a  group  of  fungi.  They  have  a  wide  range  over  the 
United  States  from  New  England  to  Florida.  (See  illustra- 
tion, p.  277.) 

Trailing  Arbutus 
Epigaea  ripens, — Family,  Heath.     Color,  white  or  pink.      (See 
White  Flowers,  p.   no.) 

Cranberry 
^  Vaccinium  Oxycoccus — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white,  with  pink- 
tinge.  Leaves,  small,  scale-like,  thin,  with  turned-back  margins. 
Calyx  and  corolla,  4-cleft.  Stamens,  8.  Berry,  4-celled.  Flowers, 
nodding.  Fruit,  a  small  acid  berry,  not  so  desirable  for  the  table 
as  the  larger  species.     Stems,  wiry,  trailing,  from  6  tc  9  inches  long. 

Large  American  Cranberry 

V,  macrocarpon  is  the  one  cultivated  in  large  sections  of  bog 
land,  and  prized  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  Thanksgiving 
turkey.  The  stems  grow  prostrate,  often  4  to  5  feet  in  length. 
Flowers  are  large,  with  corolla  turned  back. 

The  name  cranberry  is  said  to  be  a  shortening  of  crane- 
berry,  referring  to  the  curve  of  the  branches,  which  are  con- 
ceived to  be  like  the  crooked  neck  of  a  crane.  A  cranberry- 
bog  is  flooded  with  water  in  the  fall  and  early  spring.     In 

276 


^ 


PINESAP.       FALSE    BEECH    DROPS.        (MoHOtrOpU    HypOpUU) 
(See  pat'e  J76) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

May  the  water  is  drained  off.  The  picking  commences  in 
September,  before  heavy  frost,  and  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren are  employed,  and  paid  by  the  crate  or  bushel.  Build- 
ings are  erected  near  the  bogs,  in  which  the  fruit  is  separated 
from  leaves  and  twigs.  The  geographical  range  of  the  cran- 
berry is  very  wide,  from  north  latitude  380  to  6o°,  and  cov- 
ering all  North  America  east  of  the  Mississippi.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  279.) 

Flowering  Moss.     Pyxie 
Pyxidanthera   barbulata. —  Family,  Diapensia.     Color,  white  or 
pink.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  114.) 

Common  Pimpernel 
Anagittis  arvensis. — Family,  Primrose.  Color,  called  scarlet; 
rarely  white.  Calyx  and  corolla,  regularly  5-parted.  Stamens, 
5,  their  filaments  purple-bearded.  Pistil,  1.  Flowers,  small, 
wheel-shaped,  on  long  peduncles,  single,  in  the  upper  axils. 
Stems,  low,  spreading.  Annuals.  Leaves,  opposite  or  whorled, 
sessile,  ovate,  entire.     May  to  August. 

The  petals  close  upon  the  approach  of  a  shower,  from 
which-one  of  its  popular  names,  poor  man's  weatherglass,  is 
derived.  They  also  close  at  night,  and  soon  after  being 
plucked.  I  know  of  no  other  flower  tinged  with  just  this 
shade  of  red.  It  is  often  called  scarlet  pimpernel,  but  to 
me  it  is  terra-cotta.  It  is  a  dear  little  plant,  often  dotting 
the  ground  with  color.  I  have  picked  it  in  sprays  20  inches 
long.  A  variety,  cacririca,  has  blue  petals.  Open  woods  or 
low  cultivated  grounds.     (See  illustration,  p.  281.) 

Sea  Milkwort 

Glaux  maritima.  —  Family,  Primrose.  Color,  pink  or  white- 
Calyx,  tubular,  5-cleft,  bell-shaped,  giving  the  color  to  the  flower. 
Petals,  none.  Stamens,  5,  connected  with  the  base  of  the  calyx, 
alternate  with  the  lobes.  Leaves,  fleshy,  entire,  sessile,  opposite, 
linear,  obtuse.  Low,  fleshy  plants,  much  branched,  the  branches 
weak,  drooping  or  prostrate,  2  to  8  inches  high.  Flowers,  small, 
in  the  axils.     June  to  August. 

Sea  -  beaches,  New  Jersey  northward,  also  in  subsaline 
soil  from  Minnesota  westward.  More  common  on  the 
Pacific  than  the  Atlantic  coast. 

Shooting  Star.     American  Cowslip 

Dodecatheon  Meadia. —  Family,  Primrose.  Color,  deep  pink, 
rarely  white.     Calyx  and  corolla,  5-cleft,  the  divisions  of  the  corolla 

278 


AMERICAN    CRANBERRY    (Voccinium    mOCTOCOr  pO)l) 

( Si c  page  -■■.!>  i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

being  long  and  narrow.  Stamens,  generally  5,  their  anthers  com- 
ing together  and  forming  a  cone.  Leaves,  in  a  cluster  at  the  root, 
oblong  or  broader  at  apex  than  base.  Flowers,  in  an  umbel  at 
the  top  of  a  naked  scape,  nodding  on  slender  pedicels,  surrounded 
by  an  involucre  of  small  bracts.     May  and  June. 

Name  means  the  "twelve  gods,"  under  whose  care  prim- 
roses were  thought  to  be.  This  is  a  showy  plant,  found  in 
deep,  cool,  moist  woods,  and  in  prairies  from  Pennsylvania 
westward  and  southward. 

Sea  Pink 

Sabatia  stettaris. — Family,  Gentian.  Color,  pink,  occasionally 
white.  Calyx,  5-parted,  its  lobes  linear,  awl-shaped,  not  as  long 
as  the  corolla.  Corolla,  5-parted,  wheel-shaped.  Stamens,  5. 
Leaves,  opposite,  entire,  narrow,  long,  the  lower  broader  than 
those  above.  6  to  24,  but  usually  not  over  8,  inches  high.  July 
to  September. 

An  exquisite  flower  found  in  salt  marshes.  A  large,  open 
corolla  with  a  yellow  center,  looks  you  squarely  in  the  face. 
Where  not  plucked  to  extermination  these  sea  pinks  grow 
generously  in  their  habitats,  forming  masses  of  pink  color. 

S.  gracilis  is  scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  the  last,  except 
that  the  calyx-lobes  are  equal  to  the  lobes  of  the  corolla  in  length. 
Both  leaves  and  stem  are  more  slender,  the  lowest  leaves  being 
linear,  those  on  the  branches  nearly  filiform.     May  to  August. 

In  salt  or  brackish  marshes,  Nantucket  to  Florida,  west- 
ward to  Louisiana.      (See  illustration,  p.  283.) 
Large  Marsh  Pink 

5.  dodecandra. — Color,  deep  rose  pink,  rarely  white.  Corolla, 
tubular,  the  border  8  to  12-parted,  calyx-lobes  narrow,  about  half 
the  length  of  the  corolla.  The  blossoms  are  2  inches  across,  of  a 
soft,  rosy  pink  color.  I  have  found  them  plentifully  in  southern 
New  Jersey.  Leaves,  spatulate — that  is,  broader  at  apex — taper- 
ing below  to  a  petiole,  opposite,  growing  narrower  above  until  they 
become  narrowly  linear.  Stem,  1  to  2  feet  high.  Flowers,  single, 
on  peduncles,  loosely  panicled.     July  to  September. 

The  largest  of  our  Sabatias.  Borders  of  brackish  ponds 
and  in  salt  marshes  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and 
Alabama. 

Centaury 

Centaurium  pulchellum.  —  Family,  Gentian.  Color,  crimson. 
Calyx,  tubular,  deeply  4  to  5-parted  into  slender  lobes.     Corolla, 

280 


PIMPERNEL    (Amigallis   arvetisis) 
(See  page  278) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

slenderly  tubular,  with  a  4  to  5-parted  border,  the  lobes  not  more 
than  one-third  the  length  of  the  tube.  Stamens,  of  the  same  num- 
ber as  the  corolla-lobes,  their  anthers  spirally  twisted.  Style, 
slender.  Stigma,  thickened,  club  -  shaped.  Flowers,  more  in 
spreading  cymes  than  panicles,  all  with  short  pedicels.  Leaves, 
on  the  stem,  opposite,  small,  oval,  ovate,  or  oblong.     Summer. 

Less  than  8  inches  in  height,  these  plants  are  yet  worth 
a  trip  into  the  low,  wet,  or  dry  meadows  to  find.  New 
York  to  Illinois  and  southward. 

Bitter  Herb.     Earth  Gall 

C,  umbellktum. — Flowers,  cymose,  much  like  the  last  in  shape 
and  size.  Color,  deep  crimson  with  a  purplish  tinge,  all  nearly 
sessile.  Leaves,  linear  at  the  top  of  the  stem,  broader  below,  and 
clustered  in  rosettes  at  the  root.  The  stem  branches  cymosely, 
forking  several  times,  bearing  the  flowers  on  the  ends  of  the 
branches.     6  to  15  inches  high.     June  to  September. 

Waste  places  in  the  more  northern  States. 

Spiked  Centaury 

C.  spichtum. — Color,  pink,  paler  than  the  last,  sometimes  shad- 
ing to  white.  Flowers,  small,  in  spikes,  on  one  side  of  the  branch. 
Tube  of  corolla  but  little  longer  than  that  of  the  calyx.  Stem, 
erect,  much  branched,  6  to  18  inches  high.  Leaves,  oblong,  nar- 
row, clasping  or  sessile.     May  to  September. 

Nantucket,  in  sand  along  the  coast,  also  in  Massachusetts 
and  Portsmouth,  Virginia. 

Swamp  Milkweed 

Asclepias  inca.rna.ia.. — Family,  Milkweed.  (For  description  of 
this  Family,  see  p.  10.)  Color,  crimson.  The  color  is  found  in  the 
reflexed  lobes  of  the  corolla  and  the  "hoods,"  which  stand  up 
around  the  stamens  and  stigma.  In  the  swamp  milkweed  the  re- 
flexed  lobes  are  a  purplish  deep  pink  or  red;  the  hoods  are  a 
lighter  pink.  The  different  species  may  be  largely  determined 
by  their  leaves  and  localities.  Leaves  of  this  plant,  opposite,  long, 
narrow,  pointed  at  apex,  petioled,  slightly  heart-shaped  at  base. 
Stem,  smooth,  not  milky,  very  leafy,  slender,  branched  above, 
2  to  4  feet  high.  Fruit,  a  long,  thick  follicle,  which,  when  it  splits 
open,  liberates  a  mass  of  flat  seeds  bearing  long  tufts  of  silky  hairs 
at  their  place  of  attachment  to  the  pod.     July  to  September. 

Swamps  and  wet  places  along  roadsides  from  New  Eng- 
land westward  to  Kansas,  southward  to  Louisiana.  Found 
3,000  feet  high  in  West  Virginia. 

282 


sea   pink   (Sabatia  gracilis) 
(See  page  - 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Red  Milkweed 

A,  rubra. — Color  of  corolla-lobes,  purplish  red ;  of  hoods,  orange 
red.  Flowers,  many,  in  umbels.  Leaves,  lance-shaped,  taper- 
pointed  at  apex,  round  or  indented  at  base,  3  to  8  inches  long. 
Stem,  smooth,  1  to  4  feet  high.     July. 

Moist  grounds,  as  wet  pine  barrens,  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania to  Florida,  Louisiana,  and  Missouri. 

Common  Milkweed.     Silkweed 

A,  syr\aca. — Color,  a  dull  greenish  or  purplish  crimson,  often 
paler.  This  is  one  of  those  colors  bordering  both  on  crimson  and 
purple,  difficult  to  describe.  Leaves  are  unmistakable,  being 
broad,  oval,  smooth  along  their  edges,  softly  downy  beneath, 
acute  at  apex,  obtuse  at  base,  with  short  petioles,  4  to  9  inches 
long.  Stem,  3  to  5  feet  high,  with  much  milky  juice.  Follicles, 
4  or  5  inches  long,  covered  with  soft  prickles.     June  to  August. 

In  rich,  good  soil,  but  found  in  some  waste  places  and 
fields  in  all  the  States  east  of  Kansas. 

Four-leaved  Milkweed 

A.  quadrifotia. — The  stem  is  naked  below  except  for  a  pair  of 
small  leaves,  but  bears,  about  the  middle,  leaves  2  to  4  inches  long 
in  1  or  2  sets  of  fours;  also,  above,  1  or  2  pairs;  all  ovate  or  lance- 
shaped,  thin,  tapering,  somewhat  downy  underneath,  short- 
petioled.  Stem,  3  to  5  feet  high,  stout,  generally  unbranched. 
The  blossoms  are  a  pale  rose  color,  fading  to  almost  white.  May 
to  July. 

Dry  woods  and  rocky  hills  from  New  Hampshire  to  Minne- 
sota, southward  to  North  Carolina  and  Arkansas. 

Few-flowered  Milkweed 

A.  lanceolkta. — Color  of  corolla  segments,  bright  red ;  of  hoods, 
orange.  Flowers,  in  umbels,  5  to  12  together.  Leaves,  long  and 
narrow,  willow- shape,  gradually  tapering  to  the  apex,  4  to  10 
inches  long,  on  short  petioles.  Stem,  smooth,  almost  leafless 
above,  2  to  4  feet  high.     June  to  August. 

In  swamps  and  wet  pine  barrens  near  the  coast,  New  Jer- 
sey to  Florida  and  Texas. 

Wild  Sweet  William 
Phlox  macutkta. — Family,  Polemonium.    Color,  crimson.    Calyx, 
tubular,  5-ribbed  and  5-cleft  into  long,  narrow,  ribbon-like  seg- 
ments.    Corolla,  a  slender  tube,   with  a  wheel-shaped,    5-lobed, 
open,  spreading  border.     Stamens,  5,  short,  inserted  on  the  tube 

284 


PINK   AND    RED    GROUP 

of   the   corolla.     Style,  3-lobed.     Capsule,  3-ceUed.     Flowers,   in 

separate,  few-flowered  cymes,  several  on  the  stem,  making  a  I 
panicle,  leafy  below,  and  with  1  or  2  leaves  under  each  small  cj 
18  inches  to  3  feet  high.     Stem,  often  purple-spotted.     June  to 
August. 

In  rich  woods,  beside  streams,  Connecticut  to  Florida, 
westward  to  Minnesota  and  Tennessee. 

Moss  or  Ground  Pink 

P.  subutkta.  —  Color,  pink,  sometimes  white.  The  tubular 
corolla  has  a  darker  center.  Leaves,  very  narrow,  thin,  fascicle  1, 
smaller  ones  clustered  in  the  axils,  irregularly  arranged  on  the 
short  branches  which  are  2  to  6  inches  long.  Low  plants  growing 
in  tufts  and  mats,  clinging  to  the  ground.     April  to  June. 

This  is  often  cultivated,  and  formerly  was  a  favorite  flower 
for  massing  in  beds.  It  has  a  wild  range  from  southern  New 
York  to  Florida,  climbing  up  rocky  hillsides  or  covering 
rocks  and  sandy  banks.     (See  illustration,  p.  286.) 

Creeping  Phlox 

P.  stolomfera, — Color  of  corolla-lobes,  purplish  red  or  crimson. 
Tube  of  corolla  longer  than  in  the  preceding,  and  flowers  larger,  in 
simple  cymes  on  hairy  pedicels.  Calyx -tube  also  hairy,  with 
linear  teeth,  the  tube  about  the  same  length  as  the  teeth.  Leaves, 
opposite,  sessile,  ovate,  blunt  at  apex,  on  the  flowering  stems. 
Besides  the  flowering  stems,  which  stand  erect,  4  to  8  inches  high, 
there  are  sterile  shoots,  or  runners,  which  creep  along  the  ground 
bearing  smooth,  thick,  evergreen,  inversely  ovate  leaves,  narrowed 
below  into  short  petioles.      May  and  June. 

In  damp  woods,  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia  and  westward. 
Found  4,500  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

Downy  Phlox 
P.  pildsa.. — Color,  pink,  with  a  purplish  tinge,  darker  in  the 
center.  Calyx  and  corolla,  tubular.  Calyx-teeth  awl-pointed,  a 
little  longer  than  the  tube.  Corolla-lobes  inversely  ovate,  not 
divided.  Stamens,  joined  to  the  tube  of  the  corolla,  not  pro- 
jecting. Flowers,  clustered  at  the  ends  of  simple  stems,  in 
cymes  or  short  panicles.  Leaves,  opposite,  sessile,  roughish,  the 
lower  near  together,  lance-shaped,  heart-shaped  at  base,  the 
upper  ones  far  apart,  all  tapering  to  a  point.     April  to  June. 

A  lovely  flower,  growing  in  rather  open  anil  dry  woods 
from  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey  south  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

285 


MOSS    OR    GROUND    PINK    {PllloX    subulatd) 
(See  page  285) 


PINK   AND    RED    GROUP 

American  Germander.  Wood  Sage 
Teucrium  canadense. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  pink,  crimson,  or 
sometimes  cream  color.  Calyx  and  corolla,  2 -lipped.  The  corolla 
seems  to  have  no  upper  lip.  It  has  4  upper,  nearly  equal,  small 
lobes  like  little  ears  or  horns,  while  below  a  broad,  concave  lip 
projects.  Stamens,  4,  2  being  taller  than  the  others.  Pistil,  1. 
Fruit,  4  nutlets,  from  the  center  of  which  the  style  stands.  The 
flowers,  about  6  in  a  whorl,  grow  in  terminal  spikes,  greenish  buds 
above,  pink  flowers  lower  down,  while  often,  lowest  of  all,  searions, 
withered  corollas  detract  from  the  delicate  beauty  of  the  6  to  12- 
inch-long  spike.  Leaves,  serrate,  lance-shape  to  ovate,  sharply 
pointed  at  apex,  short-petioled  or  sessile,  opposite.  Bracts  ac- 
company the  flowers  in  the  spike.  2  to  3  feet  high.  Plant  cov- 
ered with  soft  down.     Stem,  square.     July  to  September. 

Rich,  low  ground  and  wet  meadows.  New  England  to 
Nebraska  and  southward.  I  have  found  this  pretty  mint 
common  on  the  shores  of  Greenwood  Lake,  New  Jersey, 
and  on  the  south  shore,  along  the  bay  fronts,  of  Long  Island. 
A  var.  Uttorale,  with  smaller  flowers,  stiff  stem,  lance-sh. 
leaves,  whole  plant  very  softly-downy,  occurs  near  the  coast 
from  Maine  to  Florida.      (See  illustration,  p.  288.) 

False  Dragon  Head 

Physostegia  <virginiana.  —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  light  pink, 
touched  with  crimson.  Calyx,  bell  -  shape,  deeply  5 -toothed. 
Corolla,  tubular,  with  inflated  throat,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  en- 
tire, the  lower  3-parted,  its  middle  lobe  broad  and  notched,  1 
inch  long.  Leaves,  thick,  serrate,  lance-shape,  sessile,  opposite, 
tapering  at  both  ends.  Stems,  smooth,  slender,  wand-like,  square. 
June  to  September. 

Tall  plants,  1  to  5  feet  in  height,  with  showy  spikes  of  pink- 
flowers,  crowded,  almost  overlapping  one  another.  Often 
cultivated.  Wet  soil,  Quebec,  south  to  Florida,  Louisiana, 
and  westward. 

Red  Hemp  Nettle.     Ironwort 

Galeopsis  Ladanum. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  pink  or  rose,  some- 
times spotted  with  yellow.  Corolla,  of  the  labiate  type,  the  upper 
lip  arched,  the  lower  3-cleft,  the  a  lateral  lobes  small,  oval,  the 
middle  one  notched.  Stem,  long,  6  to  18  inches  high,  leafy, 
whitish  with  small  hairs.  Leaves,  1  to  2  inches  long,  linear. 
acute  at  both  ends,  serrate,  petioled.  Flower-clusters  axillary, 
on  long  peduncles.     June  to  September. 

Waste  places  and  fields,  rather  common  from  New  Jersey 
19  287 


American  germander,     wood  sage.     (Teucrium  canadense) 
(See  page  287) 


PINK    AND    RED   GROUP 

westward  and  southward.     On    Long   Island    I    happen   to 
have  found  it  only  in  Bridgehampton. 

Oswego  Tea.     Bee  Balm 

Monarda  dtdyma.  —Family,  Mint.  Color,  bright  red.  Tin- 
bracts  near  the  flowers  are  also  a  bright  red,  adding  to  the 
brilliant  scarlet  of  the  blossom.  Calyx,  narrowly  tubular,  with  5 
bristly-pointed  teeth,  hairy  in  the  throat.  Corolla,  2 -lipped,  the 
upper  arched,  the  lower  3-divided  into  unequal  lobes.  Flo 
thickly  massed  in  solitary  clusters,  terminating  a  simple,  straight 
stem,  2  to  3  feet  high.  Leaves,  thin,  petioled,  3  to  6  inches  long, 
opposite,  sharply  pointed  at  apex,  rounded  at  base,  serrate.  July 
to  September. 

Plant  with  strong  mint  odor,  showy,  not  uncommon,  grow- 
ing in  damp  woods  along  banks  of  streams  from  Mew  Eng- 
land to  Michigan,  south  to  Georgia.  Found  5,200  feet  high 
in  North  Carolina. 

Field  Mint 

Mentha  arvensis. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  pink  or  white.  (See 
White  Flowers,  p.   123.) 

Purple  Gerardia 
Gerardia  purpurea,  —  Family,   Figwort.     Color,   rose   purple  or 
a  purplish  pink.      (Most   botanists  call   it   purple,  but  to  me  it  is 
more  on  the  crimson  tint.)      Leaves,  opposite,  linear,  pointed  at 
apex,  rough  on  ma  gins.     Late  summer,  August  to  October. 

Forsaking  the  regular  2 -lipped  type  of  the  Figwort  Family, 
the  gerardia  blossoms  are  bell-shape,  with  irregular,  spread- 
ing, round-lobed  borders.  The  short  calyx-teeth  are  sharp- 
pointed.  Flowers,  1  inch  across,  showy,  growing  on  di- 
vergent branches.  Supposed  to  be  root-parasitic.  I  have 
seen  the  purple  gerardia  in  spreading  masses  covering  sandy 
ground  with  mats  several  feet  in  width.  Near  the  a  >ast  from 
Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

Seaside  Gerardia 
G.  marttima. — Color,  bright  rose.      Much  like  the  purple  gerardia, 
but  with  calyx-leaves  and  stem  somewhat  fleshy.     Stem,  <>  to  12 

inches  high.     In  salt  marshes  near  the  seashore,  from  Maine  to 
Florida.     July  to  August. 

Slender  Gerardia 
G.  tenuifolia. — Color,   rose   pink.      Corolia,    \   inch   long,   as  de- 
Scribed    in    G.    purpurea.       heaves,    very    narrow,    linear,    acute, 

289 


slender  gerardia    {(jcrardia  ten\ii "j 'olio) 
(See  p^ge  289) 


PINK   AND    RED   GROUP 

sessile,  scattered  on  the  stem.     J  to  2  feet  long.     August  to  Oc- 
tober. 

These  pretty  ilowers  color  the  fields  of  New  Jersey,  Long 
Island,  and  all  the  Eastern  States  westward  as  far  as  Illinois 
with  bright  crimson  interspersed  with  slender,  grass-like 
leaves.  They  can  be  seen  in  their  season  from  the  rail 
cars  in  great  profusion.  The  flowers  appear  on  long,  slender, 
dark-colored  stems.  The  corolla  is  often  spotted.  The  root 
is  probably  parasitic,  as  the  plant  turns  black  in  drying. 
(See  illustration,  p.  290.) 

G.  parvifblia. —  Color,  bright  pink.  Corolla-  lobes,  spreading. 
Stem,  slender,  6  to  18  inches  high.  Leaves,  linear,  awl-shape,  very 
small  above,  scattered.  A  small,  slender  species  with  bright 
flowers.     August  to  October. 

Sandy  soil,  near  the  coast,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and 
Louisiana. 

Mudwort 

Limosella  aquatica,  var.  tenuifblia. — Family,  Figwort.  Color, 
white  or  pink.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  125.) 

Scarlet  Painted  Cup.  Indian  Paint  Brush 
Castitteja  coccinea, — Family,  Figwort.  Color  of  inconspicuous 
flowers,  scarcely  seen,  yellow;  of  the  conspicuous  floral  leaves, 
red.  Leaves,  the  lower,  deeply,  irregularly  cut  into  narrow  divi- 
sions; upper  and  floral,  less  deeply;  root-leaves  nearly  entire, 
clustered.  This  flower  is  neither  scarlet  nor  a  cup.  Pulling  aside 
the  brilliant  leaves,  we  find  hidden  among  them  a  small,  yellow 
blossom,  with  a  calyx  of  2  divisions,  each  3-cleft ;  a  corolla,  tubular, 
2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  long  and  narrow  inclosing  4  stamens',  the 
lower  lip  3-lobed,  short.     Flowers,  in  a  short  spike.      Summer. 

Often  the  moist,  sandy  fields  are  reddened  in  large  patches 
with  this  singular  plant,  which  dyes  its  floral  leaves  a  color 
to  rival  the  cardinal-flower  in  intensity.  Stem,  hairy,  1  foot 
high.      Massachusetts  to  Virginia,  southward  to  Texas. 

Lopseed 
Phryma  Leptostachya. —  Family,  Lopseed.  Color,  deep  rose. 
Leaves,  3  to  5  inches  long,  thin,  ovate,  pointed,  coarsely  toothed, 
the  lower  on  long  petioles.  A  plant  1  to  3  feet  high,  with  2-lipped 
calyx  and  corolla.  There  are  3  bristly  teeth  on  the  upper  lobe 
of  the  calyx,  hooked  at  the  tip.  The  corolla  has  3  large  lol  1 
its  lower  lip.  Fruit,  a  single  seed,  around  which  the  calyx  in- 
folds itself.     Small  flowers,  in  pairs,  are  arranged  in  long  spikes 

291 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

terminating  the  numerous  branches.     The  calyx  turns  downward 
after  flowering  and  hugs  the  stem.     July  and  August. 

Moist,  open,  but  shaded  woods,  Canada  and  Minnesota 
south  to  Florida  and  Kansas. 

Cardinal-flower 

Lobelia,  cardinalis. — Family,  Lobelia.  Color,  deep,  velvety  red. 
One  of  our  few  flowers  really  scarlet.  Flowers,  in  a  raceme.  The 
calyx  is  divided  into  5  long,  narrow  points  united  below.  The 
corolla,  a  long  and  narrow  tube,  breaks  above  and  spreads  into 
5  divisions.  Three  of  these  are  more  united  and  stand  apart  from 
the  other  two,  which,  one  on  each  side,  are  quite  narrow.  Through 
a  split  down  the  entire  length  of  the  corolla  the  stamens  stand,  tall 
and  stiff,  their  red  filaments  and  blue-gray  anthers  united  into  a 
tube.  The  anthers  are  slightly  fringed  with  white.  Overtopping 
all,  peeping  through  the  stamens'  tube,  and  hanging  down,  is  the 
red  double  stigma,  tipping  a  long  style.  There  is  a  touch  of  brown 
on  the  base  of  the  middle  petal-lobes,  otherwise  the  color  of  the 
flower  is  an  intense,  vivid  scarlet.  Scarcely  is  such  a  rich  color 
to  be  found  in  any  other  flower  Leaves,  alternate,  2  or  3  inches 
long,  ovate  to  lance-shape,  toothed;  among  the  flowers,  bract-like. 
August  and  September. 

This  queenly  flower  is  fortunately  quite  common.  It  loves 
the  shady  banks  of  rivers,  crouching  under  bridges.  Or  it 
comes  out  boldly  and  rears  its  splendid  spikes  on  broad  and 
sunny  banks,  where  the  cows  come  to  drink,  among  bur- 
reeds,  sagittarias,  tall  rushes,  and  brookweeds.  It  cannot 
hide,  if  it  would,  any  more  than  the  scarlet  tanager  can  con- 
ceal itself  in  the  trees:  It  is  a  flower  clothed  with  stateliness 
as  well  as  beauty,  and  if  quickly  placed  in  water  will  keep 
fresh  for  many  days.     New  England  southward. 

It  is  pleasant  to  think  that  this  is  one  of  our  own  plants, 
it  being  strictly  indigenous  to  America.      (See  illustration, 

P.  293-) 

Twin-flower 

Linnaea  borealis  (named  from  the  great  botanist  Linnaeus). — 
Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  rose,  or  corolla  whitish,  with 
rose  purple  stripes,  hairy  inside.  Leaves,  opposite,  roundish, 
sparingly  crenate,  on  short  petioles,  evergreen,  shiny  above. 
Calyx,  5-toothed.  Corolla,  bell-shaped,  5-lobed.  Stamens,  4,  two 
longer  than  the  other  two.  Fruit,  a  dry,  3-celled  pod,  with  only  1 
perfect  seed.  Flowers,  hairy  within,  delicately  fragrant,  in  pairs, 
each  hanging  from  its  own  tiny  stalk,  the  2  pedicels  united  below 

292 


CARDINAL-PLOWER    {Lobelia   cardinality 
( Sec  page  29a  ) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


into  a  slender  peduncle,  which  grows  upright  from  the  trailing 
and  creeping  stems.     June. 

As  dainty  a  floral  beauty,  loving  a  mossy  nest,  as  the  cool 
woods  afford.  Doctor  Gray  says  that  this  plant  was  an 
especial  favorite  with  "the  immortal  Linnaeus,"  and  that 
"there  is  extant  at  least  one  contemporary  portrait  of 
Linnaeus  in  which  he  wears  the  tiny  flowers  in  his  button- 
hole." 

Joe  Pye  Weed.     Trumpet  Weed 

Eupatorium  parpureum.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  pale 
magenta  pink,  tending  to  whitish.  The  flower  bracts  are  pur- 
plish. Corollas,  tubular,  5 -toothed.  Pappus,  a  row  of  hair-like 
bristles.  Flowers,  in  dense,  compound,  flat-topped  or  pyramidal 
panicles  with  a  straight,  often  purplish  stem,  marked  with  lines. 
Plant,  3  to  10  feet  high.  Leaves,  in  whorls  of  3  to  6,  thin,  serrate, 
ovate  or  lanceolate,  4  to  12  inches  long,  about  3  inches  wide. 
When  in  fruit  the  blooms  become  "fuzzy."  August  and  Sep- 
tember. 

Not  a  handsome  plant,  but  tall  and  showy,  one  of  the 
autumn  coarser  flowers,  found  in  lowlands  or  in  moist  woods 
or  thickets.  Named  from  a  New  England  Indian  doctor. 
New  England  to  Florida.  There  are  several  varieties  of 
this,  differing  mainly  in  the  leaves.     (See  illustration,  p.  295.) 

Var.  maculktum,  called  spotted  boneset,  has  purple  -  spotted 
stems  of  lower  growth  than  the  last.  Leaves,  smaller,  more  finely 
toothed,  3  to  5  in  a  whorl,  the  upper,  perhaps,  opposite,  thicker 
and  rougher.  Cyme  of  flowers  flatter,  and  the  flowers  of  a  deeper 
crimson.  Growing  also  in  wet  grounds  with  nearly  the  same 
range. 

Vanilla  Plant 

Trilisa  odoratissima. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  deep  crimson 
or  purplish.  Heads  without  rays,  small,  in  flattish  panicles. 
Leaves,  large,  entire,  light  green,  those  below  oblong  or  spatulate, 
4  to  10  inches  long;  the  upper  smaller,  bract-like.  Smooth  stem. 
Autumn. 

Pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey  and  southward.  The  odor  of 
vanilla  is  given  out  by  the  crushed  leaves. 

Fleabane 

Erigeron  philadelphicus.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color  of  the 
numerous,  narrow  rays  crimson  with  a  purplish  tinge,  while  the 
center  of  the  flower  is  yellow.    Flowers,  small,  growing  in  corymbed 

294 


JOE    PYE    WEED.      TRUMPET    WEED.       (EupatortUtti  pUTpUreum) 
(See  page  294  I 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

clusters.  Stem,  coarse,  hairy,  leafy  to  the  top,  i  to  3  feet  high. 
Leaves,  thin,  oblong,  the  upper  clasping  the  stem  with  heart- 
shaped  bases,  entire;  the  lower  toothed,  narrowed  downward. 
Midrib  prominent.     May  to  August. 

Wet  meadows  along  banks  of  rivers  in  the  Eastern  and 
Southern  States.  Flower  much  like  the  commoner  Robin's 
Plantain,  but  having  more  rays,  long  and  narrow. 

Salt  Marsh  Fleabane 

Pluchea  camphorata. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  pink.  Flow- 
ers, all  tubular,  many  in  a  head,  a  few  in  the  center  without  pistils 
and  with  a  5-cleft  corolla;  the  others  pistillate,  with  a  thread- 
like corolla.  No  rays.  Leaves,  sessile,  or  with  short  petioles, 
toothed,  oblong,  narrow,  thick,  rough.     2  to  3  feet  high.     August. 

A  common,  rather  pretty  flower  found  in  brackish  or  salt 
marshes  along  the  coast.  The  small,  rose-colored  blossoms 
grow  in  close,  flat  heads  resembling  the  inflorescence  of  the 
everlastings.  Stem  and  leaves  glandular.  They  give  forth 
a  distinct  odor  of  camphor.  Massachusetts  southward. 
(See  illustration,  p.  297.) 

Coreopsis.     Tickseed 

Coreopsis  rosea.. — Family,  Composite.  Color  of  rays,  rose;  of 
disk,  yellow.  Rays,  3 -toothed.  Heads,  on  short  peduncles  in 
corymbose  clusters.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  entire,  opposite.  Stems, 
leafy,  from  i  to  2  feet  high.     July  to  September. 

Massachusetts  to  New  Jersey  and  southward.  A  rare  and 
pleasant  find  is  the  rose-colored  coreopsis,  in  grassy,  shallow 
swamps. 

Oyster  Plant 

Tragopogon  porrifolius. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  dark  crim- 
son. Leaves,  grass-like,  clasping  the  stem.  Heads,  many-flowered, 
large,  solitary.  Peduncles,  somewhat  thickened  below  the  heads 
of  flowers. 

This  plant  may  often  be  found  growing  wild  along  the 
borders  of  gardens  and  farms,  escaped  from  cultivation.  Its 
stem  is  stout,  2  or  3  feet  high.  Name  means  goat's  beard, 
probably  suggested  by  the  long,  plumose  bristles  of  the 
pappus. 


SALT    MARSH    FLEABANE     (PlllcllCa    CCimpllOratd) 
(See  page  396) 


CHAPTER   VII 

BLUE    AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

The  distinction  between  blue  and  purple  flowers  is  often 
very  fine.  Mr.  F.  Schuyler  Matthews  says  that  "  the  blue 
flower  is  a  creation  of  the  imagination ;  in  reality  it  does  not 
exist,  and  the  so-called  blue  is  often  a  decided  violet  of 
dilute  character."  Those  who  have  seen  the  fringed  gentian 
and  the  larkspur  may  disagree  with  him.  To  my  vision 
there  are  certainly  blue  flowers,  and  Nature  shows  no  sign  of 
eliminating  that  color  from  her  category  of  tints.  Many 
flowers,  however,  which  are  usually  called  blue  sustain  Mr. 
Matthews's  statement,  for  the  large  majority  of  such  flowers 
display  the  purple  and  violet  colors.  The  hepatica  is  an 
example  of  a  so-called  blue  flower  which  is  violet. 

All  shades  of  blue  and  purple  will  be  grouped  in  this 
chapter. 

Swamp  Pink 

HeldnUs  buttkta.. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  purple,  turning  green 
with  age.  Perianth,  of  6  segments.  Stamens,  6,  the  filaments 
longer  than  the  perianth.  Anthers,  blue.  Capsule,  3-lobed. 
Flowers,  in  a  dense  raceme  at  the  end  of  a  long,  leafless  scape,  1 
to  2  feet  high,  arising  from  a  tuberous  rootstock.  Leaves,  clus- 
tered at  the  base  of  the  scape,  6  to  15  inches  long,  broad  at 
apex,  tapering  at  base,  thin,  flat,  finely  parallel-veined.  A  few 
small  bracts  on  the  scape,  near  the  base.     April  and  May. 

A  smooth  perennial  with  hollow  scape  bearing  a  showy 
raceme  of  flowers  in  spring.  In  swamps,  local  and  rare, 
northern  New  Jersey,  southern  New  York  to  Virginia. 

Field  Garlic 

Allium  <vinekle. — Family,  Lily.  Color,  green  or  purple.  (See 
Green  Flowers,  p.  23.) 

Spiderwort 
Tradescintia.  <uirginiana. — Family,   Spiderwort.     Color,  blue  to 
purplish.     Sepals  and  petals,  3  of  each,  the  sepals  much  smaller 

298 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

than  the  petals.  Flowers,  several  in  an  umbel  terminating  the 
rather  thick  stems,  i  to  2  inches  across,  with  slender,  somewhat 
hairy  pedicels.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  about  1  foot  long,  chan- 
neled at  the  base  where  they  clasp  the  stem.  Stem  stout,  leafy, 
8  inches  to  3  feet  tall.     Plant  straggling.     May  to  August. 

In  rich,  moist  soil,  Connecticut  to  Pennsylvania  and 
South  Carolina.     Found  4,000  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

Mountain  Spiderwort 

T.  mon.ta.na.. — A  slender-stemmed,  simple-leaved  species,  with 
long,  narrow  leaves  whose  bases  surround  the  stem  with  broad, 
loose  sheaths.  Flowers,  similar  to  the  preceding,  smaller.  June 
to  August. 

A  Southern  species  found  in  woods  and  thickets  of  the 
Southwest  as  far  north  as  Virginia  and  Kentucky. 

Day-flower 

CommeVina  cvirginica.  —  Family,  Spiderwort.  Color,  blue. 
Sepals  and  petals,  3  of  each,  unequal.  Sepals  inclined  to  be 
bluish.  Stamens,  3  fertile,  and  3  sterile,  smaller  than  the  fertile, 
with  cross-shaped  anthers.  Style,  1.  Capsule,  3 -celled.  Flower, 
large,  1  inch  across,  showy.  It  lasts  only  for  a  day.  Stems, 
diffusely  branching,  thick,  spreading,  fleshy,  smooth.  Leaves, 
lance-shape,  3  to  5  inches  long,  shorter  and  bract-like  near  the 
top,  sheathing  the  stem  at  base,  the  sheaths  fringed  along  the 
edges.  Those  leaves  nearest  the  flowers  form  peduncled  spathes 
which  inclose  the  flowers,  like  hoods.     June  to  September. 

Damp,  rich  woods  and  banks,  moist  soil,  southern  New 
York  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Asiatic  Day-flower 

C.  communis. — Color,  deep  blue.  Flower,  much  like  the  last, 
with  3  perfect  stamens,  3  sterile,  bearing  curious,  cross-shaped 
anthers.  The  good  stamens  project  from  the  flower  on  slender, 
long  filaments.  Of  the  flower  2  petals  are  much  longer  than  the 
third.  Leaves,  lance-shape,  sheathing  above.  Spathes,  heart  - 
shape,  pointed.     Flowers,  in  umbels.     July  to  October. 

Often  a  dooryard  weed  in  New  York  and  Massachusetts, 
frequently  in  city  yards.      South  to  Pennsylvania. 
Pickerel-weed 

PondeterU  cordate.—  Family,  Pickerel  -  weed.  Color,  violet- 
blue.  Perianth,  tubular,  a-lipped,  the  upper  Up  composed  of 
3  ovate  lobes,  the  middle  one  of  which  is  the  longesl  ;  the  lower 
lip  also  3-divided,  spreading,  drooping.      Upper  lip  marked   with 

399 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

a  pair  of  yellow  spots.  Stamens,  6,  3  of  them  often  being  worth- 
less, all  borne  upon  the  perianth-tube.  Anthers  and  style,  blue. 
Leaves,  thick,  triangular,  heart  or  arrow-shape  at  base,  marked 
with  many  parallel  veins,  on  long,  sheathing  petioles,  mostly  from 
the  root,  4  to  8  inches  long,  half  as  wide.  Flowers,  borne  in  a 
raceme  or  thick  spike  growing  out  of  a  sheathing  bract.  After 
fruiting  the  flower  perianth  coils  from  the  apex  downward  and 
surrounds  the  fruit.     June  to  October. 

An  aquatic,  found  on  the  borders  of  ponds  and  lakes  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Florida  westward  to  Minnesota  and  Texas. 
(See  illustration,  p.  301.) 

Mud  Plantain 

Heteranthera  reniformis. — Family,  Pickerel-weed.  Color,  pale 
blue  or  white.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  44.) 

Grape  Hyacinth 

MuscaH  botryoides.  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  deep  indigo  blue. 
Leaves,  long  and  narrow,  from  the  base,  fleshy.  The  perianth  of 
this  modest  spring  flower  is  like  a  round,  small  bell  or  globe  with 
6  little  teeth  on  its  edge.  Flowers  are  crowded  in  long  racemes  at 
the  end  of  a  scape  which  rises  from  a  coated  bulb.    April  to  June. 

The  specific  name  means,  and  the  flower-bells  suggest,  a 
bunch  of  grapes.  The  generic  name  refers  to  its  faint  scent 
of  musk.  Originally  cultivated,  and  now  found  in  grass- 
plots  and  fence-corners,  escaped  and  become  wild.  Massa- 
chusetts to  Virginia  and  Ohio. 

Wake  Robin 

Trillium  erectum.  —  Family,  Lily.  Color,  purple  or  crimson, 
rarely  white.      (See  Pink  Flowers,  p.  244.) 

Fleur-de-lis.  Larger  Blue  Flag 
Iris  ^versicolor, — Family,  Iris.  Color,  blue  with  darker  veinings 
and  touches  of  yellow,  white,  and  green.  The  large  flower  de- 
serves study.  The  perianth  is  divided  into  6  lobes,  3  outer  and 
3  inner,  which  are  united  into  a  short  tube  below.  The  outer 
divisions  curve  gracefully  backward,  the  inner  stand  erect. 
Stamens,  3,  almost  hidden  under  the  3  broad,  petal-like  styles, 
which  bear  their  stigmas  immediately  under  their  2-lobed,  lip- 
like tips.  Capsule,  3  -  lobed,  i£  inches  long.  Leaves,  equitant, 
one  arising  from  within  the  base  of  another,  covered  with  a 
whitish  bloom.  Stem,  2  to  3  feet  high,  leafy,  branched  above. 
May  to  July. 

Every  one  knows  the  beautiful  iris,  one  of  the  blue  flowers, 


pickerel-weed  {Pondeteria  cordata) 
(See  page  209) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

but  so  variegated  with  other  tints  as  to  be  named  after  the 
rainbow.  The  stiff,  sword-shape,  folded  leaves  give  it  a 
dignity,  and  in  the  marshes  where  it  grows  it  has  few  peers 
for  loveliness.  It  is  found  in  wet,  low  grounds  the  length 
of  the  Atlantic  coast.  Insect  aid  is  necessary  for  the  fer- 
tilization of  this  flower,  and  the  bee,  said  to  be  a  lover  of 
blue  colors,  is  often  seen  delving  into  the  honeyed  depths 
of  the  iris,  powdering  its  head  with  the  pollen,  which  it 
carries  to  another  flower. 

Blue-eyed  Grass 

Sisyrinchium  angustifblium. —  Family,  Iris.  Color,  violet  -  blue 
with  yellow  center.  Perianth,  of  6  divisions,  each  bristle-tipped, 
widely  spreading,  united  in  a  tube  below.  Stamens,  3.  Styles,  3. 
( 'apsule,  3-celled.  Stems,  2-edged,  flat,  sometimes  twisted,  3  to  14 
inches  tall,  occasionally  forking  above.  Leaves,  narrow,  about 
the  same  width  as  the  stems,  grass-like.  Flowers,  1  to  3,  on  short 
pedicels,  from  a  pair  of  bracts  (the  spathes) ,  one  shorter  than  the 
other.     May  'to  July. 

A  common,  wide-open  flower  about  f  of  an  inch  long, 
found  in  low  meadows,  in  rather  damp  soil,  from  Newfound- 
land to  Virginia,  and  westward  to  Colorado.  One  of  its 
popular  names  is  blue  star. 

5.  gramineum. — Color,  blue.  This  species  has  a  smaller  blos- 
som than  the  last,  on  a  taller  stem.  Two  flowering  stems  arise 
from  near  the  top,  each  bearing  in  an  umbel  3  or  more  small 
flowers  on  slender  pedicels.  A  single  leaf  subtends  the  flowers. 
Other  leaves,  all  grass-like,  spring  from  near  the  base,  their  edges 
rough.     8  to  18  inches  tall.      April  to  June. 

Wet  meadows,  in  grassy  places  on  the  edges  of  woods 
from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Ram's  Head  Lady's  Slipper 

Cypripedium  arietmum.  —  Family,  Orchis.  Color,  purplish  or 
crimson  veined  with  white.  The  3  sepals,  entirely  free,  are  of  a 
brownish  pink  or  purple.  They  are  long  and  narrow,  and  curve 
so  as  to  suggest  the  horns  on  a  ram's  head.  Petals,  2  similar. 
Lip,  a  pocket  or  slipper,  of  a  dull  purple  mottled  with  white 
veinings,  showing  a  little  green  at  the  toe.  Flowers,  terminal, 
single.  Stem,  8  to  12  inches  high.  Leaves,  3  or  4,  dark  green, 
ovate  or  elliptical,  6  to  8  inches  long,  regularly  parallel-veined, 
pointed.     May  to  August.      (See  Variegated  Flowers,  p  371.) 

In  cold,  moist  woods,  rare  and  local,  from  Main  to  Massa- 

302 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

chusetts,  New  York,  and  westward  to  Minnesota.  It  is  a 
fortunate  person  who  finds  the  ram's  head  lady's  slipper. 
It  might  be  easily  recognized,  lor  it  does  not  take  a  lively 
imagination  to  see,  in  the  lip,  the  mouth  and  head  of  a  ram, 
while  the  long,  curving  sepals  make  the  horns. 

Large  Purple  Fringed  Orchis 

Habenaria  fimbriate. — Family,  Orchis.  Color,  lilac  or  deep  pur- 
ple, rarely  white.  Upper  sepals  and  petals  toothed,  united.  The 
lip  3 -parted,  spreading  like  an  open  fan,  much  fringed,  prolonged 
backward  into  a  thread-like  spur.  Floivcrs,  in  a  dense  raceme 
terminating  a  stem  i  to  4  feet  high.  Raceme,  3  to  15  inches  long. 
Stem,  leafy.  Leaves,  lance-shape  to  oval,  their  bases  sheathing 
the  stem,  the  lower  4  to  10  inches  long,  upper  smaller,  acute. 
June  to  August. 

Rich  woods  and  meadows,  often  near  a  running  brook. 
No  richer-hued  or  more  queenly  flower  rewards  the  seeker 
after  our  native  orchids.  In  the  old  legends  ( )rehis,  the  son 
of  a  rural  deity,  by  his  rustic  manners  offended  the  servants 
of  Bacchus,  who  killed  him.  His  parents  prayed  that  a 
flower  might  be  created  to  commemorate  the  name  of  their 
hapless  son,  and  the  gods,  in  answer,  gave  them  the  orchis. 

Early  Coral  Root 

Corallorhiza  trifida. —  Family,  Orchis.  Color,  dull  brownish 
purple.  Sepals  and  petals  small.  Lip,  white,  smaller  than  the 
petals,  3-lobed.  Spur,  a  small  protuberance.  Flowers,  3  to  12,  in 
a  raceme  1  to  3  inches  long.  Scape,  4  to  12  inches  high,  with 
no  leaves,  but  a  few  sheathing  scales  near  the  base.  The  root 
branched  and  broken  like  a  coral  branch,  gives  the  plant  its 
name.     May  to  July. 

Parasitic  on  roots  of  other  plants,  or  saprophytic,  finding 
its  nourishment  on  dead  or  decaying  matter.  In  cool, 
shaded  woods  from  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio 
northward.      In  mountains  of  Georgia. 

C.  odontorhiza. — Color,  purplish.  Sepals  and  petals,  long  and 
narrow,  marked  with  purple  lines.  Lip,  white,  spotted  with  deep 
pink,  broadly  ovate,  or  obovate,  not  notched.  Scape,  purplish, 
6  to  15  inches  high.  Flowers,  in  a  raceme.  Root  stock,  toot  lied, 
coral-like.     August  and   September. 

In  woods,  Massachusetts  t<=  Michigan,  south  to  Florida  and 
Mississippi. 

20  303 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

C.  rn.acula.ta.. — Color  of  petals  and  sepals  a  brownish  purple. 
Lip,  white,  spotted  or  lined  with  purple.  A  scape,  8  to  20  inches 
high,  leafless,  but,  like  the  preceding,  clothed  with  sheathing 
scales,  bears  many  flowers,  large  for  this  genus,  in  a  raceme  2  to 
8  inches  long.  Flower,  open,  spreading;  lip,  broad  and  short. 
Root,  much  like  the  preceding.     July  and  August. 

From  New  England  to  Florida  westward. 

C.  striata. — Color,  dark  purple.  Sepals  and  petals,  narrowly 
elliptical,  showing  3  deeper  purple  lines.  Lip,  strongly  purple- 
veined,  broad,  oval,  concave.  Scape,  stout,  leafless,  8  to  20 
inches  high,  bearing  a  raceme  of  flowers  at  the  tip.  Bracts  with 
each  flower.      May  and  June. 

A  rare  and  local  species  found  in  the  latitude  of  northern 
New  York  to  Oregon  and  California. 

C.  Wisterikna.  —  Color,  purplish.  Flower,  open,  with  large, 
broad,  white  lip  spotted  with  deep  crimson.  Flowers,  pedicelled, 
in  a  raceme  on  a  slender  stem  8  to  16  inches  high.  Spur  con- 
spicuous.    April  and  May. 

Woods.  Massachusetts  to  Florida,  westward  to  Texas. 
The  coral  root  orchids  are  among  the  least  pretty  of  the 
Family,  but  are  interesting,  widely  dispersed,  and  will  repay 
study.     The  fruit  capsules  of  all  the  species  droop  when  ripe. 

Twayblade 

Listera  cordata.  -Family,  Orchis.  Color,  purplish.  Leaves,  2, 
broad,  opposite,  sessile,  roundish  and  heart-shaped,  borne  about 
the  middle  of  the  stem.  Lip,  much  longer  than  the  sepals  and 
petals,  deeply  2 -cleft.  A  small  orchid,  not  more  than  4  to  10 
inches  high,  with  almost  minute  flowers  in  a  slender  raceme,  each 
accompanied  by  a  small  bract.  The  outside  sepals  turn  back. 
Roots  fibrous.     June  to  August. 

From  Nova  Scotia  south  to  New  Jersey  and  west  across 
the  continent.     Mossy  woods  and  swamps. 

L.  austrklis. — A  Southern  species,  found  south  of  New  Jersey, 
has  minute,  greenish- yellow  flowers  heavily  striped  with  purple, 
in  a  loose,  slender  raceme  terminating  a  stem  3  to  10  inches  high. 
(See  Yellow  Flowers,  p.  160.) 

In  shady  or  wet  woods. 

Large  Twayb-lade 

Liparis  Uliifblia.  -Family,  Orchis.  Color,  brownish  purple  in 
lip,   sepals,   and  petals.     The   latter    very   narrow,    thread  -  like. 

3°4 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

Sepals,  slightly   turned   back.     Lip,  large  for  the  flower,  broad, 
nearly  .}   inch  long.     Leaves,  2,  at   the   base   of  the  flower-stem, 
2  to  5  inches  long,  oval  or  ovate,  clasping  the  stem  with    1 
loose   sheaths.      Flowers,    few   or    many,    scattered,    in    terminal 
racemes,  on  slender  pedicels.     Scape,  4  to  10  inches  high. 

Low  herbs  from  solid  bulbs,  with  scales  on  the  scape  be- 
sides the  2  large  leaves.  Leaves,  shining,  green.  Rich, 
moist  woods,  Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Putty-root.     Adam-and-Eve 
Aplecirum  hiemkle — Family,   Orchis.     Color,  variegated.      (See 
P-   372-) 

Crane  Fly  Orchis 

Tipularia  discolor Family,    Orchis.     Color,    greenish,    tinged 

with  purple.      (See  Green  Flowers,  p.  24.) 

Wild  Ginger.     Asarabacca 

Asarum  canadense.  —  Family,  Birthwort.  Color,  dull  brown- 
purplish.  Corolla,  wanting.  Calyx,  bell-shaped,  spreading,  with 
3  short,  pointed  lobes  lying  flat,  open.  Stamens,  10.  Style,  6- 
lobed  at  summit,  with  6  spreading  stigmas.  Fruit,  a  fleshy, 
roundish  capsule,  bursting  irregularly  and  scattering  many  seeds. 
Leaves,  2,  on  long  petioles,  from  creeping  rootstocks,  kidney- 
shaped,  4  to  5  inches  broad,  thin,  and  translucent.      Early  May. 

The  flower  grows  low  down  near  the  root,  from  between 
the  leaves,  on  a  short  peduncle.  Its  dull  color  enables  it  to 
hide  itself  with  ease  under  the  broad  pair  of  leaves  which  rise 
above  it.  Unless  one  should  recognize  the  leaf,  it  would  be 
difficult  to  discover  this  plant.  Its  rootstock  has  a  pungent, 
aromatic,  ginger-like  taste.  It  has  pretensions  to  being 
among  our  earliest  spring  flowers,  being  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Gibson  as  among  the  possible  March  bloomers.  Rich,  damp 
woods.     Common.      (See  illustration,  p.  306.) 

Virginia  Snakeroot 

Arisiolbchia  Serpent  aria.— Family,  Birthwort.  Color,  purplish  or 
greenish.  Calyx,  tubular,  bent  like  the  letter  S,  smaller  in  the 
middle,  the  small  limb  at  the  top  3-lobed.  Petals,  none.  Stamens, 
6,  with  sessile  anthers  joining  in  pairs,  each  pair  overtopped  by 
one  of  the  3  lobes  of  the  stigma.  Ovary,  6-celled.  Leaves,  alter- 
nate, ovate,  or  long  and  narrow,  heart-shaped  at  base,  acute  at 
apex.  Stem,  upright,  6  to  18  inches  high,  covered  with  soft, 
downy  hairs,  branched  below.     July. 

Flowers  all  near  the  root  on  short  peduncles.     The  root 

3°5 


■a 


%* 


WILD    GINGER.       ASARABACCA.        {AsariDU    LtUUhlcUSt 

(See  page  ^05) 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

has    medicinal    properties.     Rich    woods,    Connecticut    to 
Florida. 

Sea  Purslane 
Sesuvium  maritimum.  —  Family,  Aizoaceae.  Color,  purple. 
Petals,  none.  Calyx,  purplish  inside,  5-lobed,  with  the  numerous 
stamens  inserted  on  it.  Styles,  3  to  5.  Pod,  3  to  5-celled,  open- 
ing by  a  round  lid  at  the  top.  Leaves,  fleshy,  opposite,  on  succulent 
stems  lying  on  the  ground,  the  flowers  axillary. 

A  maritime  herb  found  along  the  seacoast  from  Long 
Island  to  Florida. 

Moss  Campion 
Silene    acaulis.  —  Family,     Pink.      Color,     purple.     Calyx,      5- 
toothed.     Petals,  notched  at  apex  or  entire,  purple,  rarely  white. 
Leaves,  needle-shaped,  crowded  on  the  stem  like  those  of  a  moss. 
Flowers,  small,  sessile,  single. 

A  delicate,  low,  Alpine  species  found  in  the  White  Moun- 
tains, New  Hampshire,  northward  and  westward.  1  or  2 
inches  high,   tufted. 

Water  Shield 
Brasenia  SchreberL  —  Family,  Water  Lily.  Color,  purple. 
Sepals  and  petals,  3  or  4.  Stamens,  12  or  more.  Pistils,  numer- 
ous. Flowers,  in  leaf-axils,  small,  dull  purple.  Leaves,  floating, 
2  to  3  inches  wide,  alternate,  roundish  or  oval,  on  a  central,  long 
petiole.     June  to  August. 

Growing  in  ponds  and  sluggish  streams,  an  aquatic  from 
a  creeping  rootstock. 

Early  Meadow  Rue 

Thalictrum  dioicum. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  greenish  or  pur- 
plish.    (See  Green  Flowers,  p.  30.) 

Purplish  Meadow  Rue 

7*.  dasycarpum. — Color,  purplish.  Flowers,  dioecious,  the  stami- 
nate  blossoms  with  sepals  and  stamens  of  a  purplish  color,  the 
filaments  hair-like,  soon  drooping.  No  petals.  Flowers,  in  com- 
pound panicles  on  purple  stems,  2  to  4  feet  tall.  Leaves, 
compound,  delicate,  sessile,  the  leaflets  mostly  3-toothed,  often 
producing  hairs  tipped  with  glands  or  bits  of  wax.  June  to 
August. 

In  woods  and  rocky  hills,  New  England  to  Florida  and 
westward.     Found  6,000  feet  high  in  North  Carolina. 

307 


HARPERS   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Liverleaf.  Hepatica 
Hepatica  triloba  ("liver,"  from  shape  of  leaf). — Family,  Crow- 
foot. Color,  pale  blue  or  violet,  sometimes  nearly  white  or  with 
a  delicate  trace  of  pink.  Petals,  none.  Sepals,  petal-like,  colored, 
6  to  12;  directly  beneath  is  an  involucre  of  3  small,  roundish, 
calyx  -  like  leaves.  Leaves,  from  the  root,  purple  or  mottled 
with  purple,  3-lobed,  heart-shaped  at  base,  roundish  in  outline, 
leathery,  evergreen. 

When  the  plant  first  comes  the  brown  leaves  of  the  last 
summer  are  all  the  foliage  it  has,  the  new  leaves  appearing 
later  than  the  flower.  Buds  and  stem  very  hairy.  One  of 
our  best-loved  flowers,  partly  because  one  of  the  first.  Mr. 
Gibson  considers  it  the  earliest.  He  says:  "  When  I  picked 
my  arbutus  in  February,  and  when  Burroughs  and  Doctor 
Abbott  gathered  their  claytonias,  the  latter  in  February, 
we  could  doubtless  all  have  found  our  hepatica,  too;  and  I 
am  equally  confident  that  my  early  blooms  of  rock-flower 
and  everlasting  were  never  so  early  as  to  have  stolen  a  march 
on  the  liverworts.  If  the  open  winter  lures  any  wood- 
blossom  to  'open  its  eye,'  it  will  surely  be  the  liverwort, 
even  as  this  flower  occasionally  anticipates  the  spring  in 
ordinary  winter  weather.  I  have  before  me  a  letter  from  an 
authority  who  picked  them  under  a  foot  of  snow  on  De- 
cember 9th,  and  this,  too,  in  a  winter  not  notably  mild." 

Common  all  over  the  Atlantic  States  in  light  woods.  (See 
illustration,  p.  309.) 

H.  acutiloba  differs  from  the  preceding  in  having  more  pointed 
leaf-lobes,  3  or  5  in  number.  Whole  plant  softly  hairy,  4  to  9 
inches  high. 

Same  range  as  preceding. 

Purple  Clematis 

Clematis  ochroleuca. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  purple.  Corolla, 
wanting.  Calyx,  of  four  leathery  sepals,  joined  at  their  base, 
purple  on  the  outside,  yellow  within.  Flowers,  large,  on  long 
peduncles,  solitary,  terminating  the  branches.  Fruit,  a  collec- 
tion of  achenes,  each  furnished  with  a  plumose  tail.  Leaves, 
opposite,  sessile,  conspicuously  net- veined,  ovate,  sometimes  3- 
lobed,  soft-silky  underneath.  Stems,  low,  1  to  2  feet  high,  erect, 
generally  unbranched.     May. 

Southern  New  York  and  Staten  Island,  to  Georgia,  in  light 
woods  and  copses.     Rare   and  local.     One  of  the  pleasant 

308 


liverleaf   (Hepatica  triloba) 
(See  page  308) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

surprises  awaiting  the  watchful  botanist,  if  he  find  the  right 
place,  is  the  purple  clematis.  Later  in  summer  the  heads 
of  fruit,  with  their  airy,  plumed  appendages,  will  scatter  the 
seeds  wherever  the  breeze  takes  them. 

Tall  Larkspur 

Delphinium  exalt  atum. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  deep,  pur- 
plish blue.     Sepals,   5,  one  with  a  long  spur  at  its  base.      Petals, 

4,  in  pairs,  the  upper  pair  projecting  long  spurs  into  the  spur  of 
the  sepal,  the  lower  pair  raised  on  short  claws.  Pistils,  3,  mak- 
ing as  many  erect,  many-seeded  pods.  Flowers,  softly  hairy,  in 
long,  terminal  racemes,  showy.  Leaves,  deeply  cleft  into  3  to  5 
divisions  which  are  acute  at  apex,  wedge-shaped.     July. 

Rich  soil,  mostly  woods,  from  Pennsylvania  to  Minnesota 
and  southward. 

Dwarf  Larkspur 

D.  tricorne. — Color,  bright  blue,  occasionally  white.  Flowers, 
few,  in  a  loose  raceme.  Stem,  simple,  erect,  from  a  cluster  of 
tuberous  roots.      1  to  3  feet  high.     April  and  May. 

West  Pennsylvania,  southward. 

Wild  Monkshood 

Acomtum  ancinktam. — Family,  Crowfoot.     Color,  blue.     Sepals, 

5,  irregular;  the  upper  shaped  like  a  helmet  or  hood.  Petals,  2, 
small,  standing  on  long  claws,  hidden  under  the  hood  of  the 
sepal.  Pistils,  3  to  5.  Leaves,  with  petioles,  3  to  5-lobed,  the 
divisions  coarsely  toothed.      Summer. 

The  singular  flowers  are  showy,  the  "helmet"  being 
prominent,  obtusely  rounded  above.  They  hang  loosely 
from  the  summit  of  weak,  often  climbing  stems.  The  plant 
loves  the  banks  of  small  streams.  Mountains  of  Virginia 
northward  to  New  Jersey.  The  aconitum  of  our  pharmacies 
is  A.  napcllus.     All  the  species  are  highly  poisonous. 

White  Poppy 
Papaver  somntferum. — Family,  Poppy.     Color,  white  or  blue. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  75.) 

Sea  Rocket 

Cakite  edentuta. —  Family,  Mustard.  Color,  purplish.  Sepals 
and  petals,  4,  open  and  spreading.  Stamens,  6.  Pod,  short, 
thick,  2-jointed,  each  half  containing  1  seed;  the  lower  joint 
round;  upper,  when  ripe,  4-angled,  beaked.     Stem,  8  to  14  inches 

310 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

high.      Leaves,  alternate,  obovate,  broader  at  apex,  with  toothed 
and  wavy  margin,  fleshy.     July  to  September. 

Not  pretty.  A  fleshy  plant  with  large  display  of  foliage 
and  small  flowers.  Growing  in  thick  masses  along  the 
coast  and  the  shores  of  the  Great  Lakes. 

Toothwort 
Dentaria  la.cinia.ta.. — Family,  Mustard.     Color,  white  or  pale  pur- 
ple.     (See  White  Flowers,  p.  80.) 

Slender  Toothwort 
D.  heterophylla. — Color  of  petals  and  sepals,  purple.  Flowers, 
terminating  a  slender  scape,  10  to  14  inches  high,  rather  widely 
scattered,  followed  by  pods  1  inch  long,  linear,  tipped  with  the 
style.  Leaves,  of  two  sorts,  those  from  the  base  on  long  petioles, 
3-divided,  the  divisions  wavy-toothed;  those  on  the  stem  2,  op- 
posite, petioled,  3-divided,  the  segments  very  narrow,  few- 
toothed.     April  and  May. 

In  low,  moist  woods  from  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 
southward  in  the  mountains  to  Georgia  and  Tennessee. 

Pitcher-plant.  Side-saddle  Flower.  Huntsman's  Cup 
Sarracenia  purpurea.  —  Family,  Pitcher  -  plant.  Color,  deep, 
dull  purple,  with  a  prominent,  greenish  yellow  style.  Sepals,  5, 
colored,  with  3  bractlets  underneath.  Petals,  5,  arched,  broad 
above,  narrow  below,  fiddle-shape.  Stamens,  numerous.  Flow- 
ers, single,  nodding  on  scapes  about  1  foot  tall.  A  large,  round 
ovary  in  the  middle  of  the  flower  is  tipped  with  a  greenish  yellow 
style,  expanded  into  a  5-rayed,  umbrella-shaped  body,  terminat- 
ing in  hooked  stigmas.  Leaves,  from  the  root,  hollow,  pitcher- 
shaped,  hooded,  striped  with  purple.  They  hold  water,  in  which 
insects  are  drowned.  Bristles  pointing  downward  on  the  inner 
surface  prevent  an  insect  which  has  fallen  in  from  escaping.     June. 

This  plant  is  carnivorous,  the  drowned  insects  being  ap- 
propriated as  food.  I  have  found  the  pitcher-plant  in  great 
numbers,  from  the  most  tiny  to  very  large,  in  marshy  land 
by  the  side  of  railroads,  generally  with  many  remains  of 
drowned  insects  in  the  leaf-cups.  Taken  up  by  the  roots 
and  placed  in  water,  it  makes  a  veranda  ornament  that  will 
keep  fresh  a  long  time.  In  peat-bogs,  along  the  shore,  t<> 
Florida  and  Kentucky,  also  in  the  Lake  region. 

In  Virginia  and  southward  a  larger  pitcher-plant  is  found, 
with  leaves  sometimes  3  feet  long.  It  is  called  trumpets  (Sar~ 
raccnia  flava),  with  a  large,  drooping,  yellow  flower.     The 

311 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Darlington  ia  of  California  is  the  only  other  member  of  this 
order  in  the  United  States. 

Thread-leaved  Sundew 

Drosera  filiformis. — Family,  Sundew.  Color,  magenta  purple. 
Parts  of  the  flower  in  fives  or  sixes.  Styles,  divided,  so  as  to 
seem  like  6  to  10,  but  they  are  in  reality  3  to  5.  Flowers,  on  one 
side  of  a  naked  scape,  i  inch  broad.  This  species  differs  in  the 
shape  of  its  leaves  and  color  of  its  blossoms  from  the  round- 
leaved  sundew  (p.  8 1 ).  Leaves,  all  from  the  base,  long,  thread-like, 
covered  with  purple  glands  raised  on  hairs.     June  to  September. 

It  is  insectivorous,  and  catches  small  insects  among  its 
sticky,  hairy  glands,  assimilates  and  digests  them.  One 
may  often  find  dried  remains  of  hapless  insects  scattered 
along  the  edges  of  the  leaves  and  stems.  In  wet  sand,  as 
the  New  Jersey  pine  barrens,  following  the  coast,  Massa- 
chusetts to  Delaware. 

Garden  Orpine.     Live-for-ever 

Sedum  purpureum.  —  Family,  Orpine.  Color,  purple.  This 
fleshy  plant  with  thick  stems  about  2  feet  high,  and  stout,  oval 
leaves,  has  escaped  from  gardens  and  attached  itself  to  congenial 
rocky  soil  in  some  places.     August  and  September. 

Marsh  Five-finger.     Purple  Cinquefoil 

PotentUU  palustris. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  dark  purple.  Calyx, 
open,  1  inch  broad,  5-cleft,  purple  inside;  bractlets  between  the 
divisions.  Corolla,  of  5  purple  petals,  shorter  than  the  calyx. 
Stamens,  numerous.  Fruit,  of  several  achenes  in  a  roundish  head 
on  a  large  and  spongy  receptacle.  Flowers,  few,  clustered  in  a 
flat  cyme  from  a  smooth  stem  which  roots  at  the  base.  Leaves, 
pinnate,  with  5  to  7  oblong,  toothed  leaflets,  light  green  above, 
downy  beneath.     June  to  August. 

Cold  bogs  from  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  northward. 

Water  Avens.     Purple  Avens 

Geum  rivkte  (name  means  "  good  taste,"  referring  to  the  pleasant 
taste  of  the  roots  of  several  species).  —  Family,  Rose.  Color, 
purple.  Calyx,  5 -divided,  of  a  brownish  purple  color.  Petals, 
5,  large,  notched,  contracted  below  into  claws.  Stamens,  many. 
Style,  jointed  in  the  middle,  the  upper  half  feathery.  Fruit,  a 
head  of  dry  achenes.  A  plant  about  2  feet  high,  found  in  bogs 
and  wet  meadows,  with  several  large  nodding  flowers  on  an 
unbranched  stem.     Leaves  mostly  from  the  root,  irregularly  and 

312 


BLUE  AND  PURPLE  GROUP 

deeply  parted.     A  few  on  stem,  3-lobed,  or  divided  into  3  leaflets. 
May  to  July. 

Low,  wet  meadows  and  bogs  from  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania northward. 

Wild  Lupine 

Lupinus  perennis. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purplish  blue.  Calyx, 
deeply  2-divided.  Corolla,  papilionaceous.  Flowers,  showy,  in 
long  racemes.  Stems,  2  feet  high,  including  the  pods,  hairy. 
Leaves,  compound,  palmately  divided  into  7  to  1 1  oblanceolate 
leaflets.     May   and   June. 

Along  the  sides  of  railroads  and  edging  the  sandy  woods, 
everywhere  from  Maine  to  the  Gulf,  in  its  season,  great 
bunches  of  lupine  may  be  seen,  patches  of  blue  in  the  midst 
of  the  pretty,  conspicuous  leaves.  (Name  from  lupus,  a 
wolf,  because  these  plants  were  thought  to  consume  the 
fertility  of  the  soil.) 

Rabbit-foot   or  Stone  Clover 

Trifolium  arvense. —  Family,  Pulse.  Color,  at  first  purplish, 
then  a  soft  gray.  Flowers,  in  compact,  roundish  heads,  silky 
and  downy.  Stipules  present.  With  persistent,  strong  roots,  it 
may  become  a  troublesome  weed  in  lawns. 

In  the  fields,  its  soft,  purplish  gray  bloom  varies  with  a 
pleasing  tint  the  greens  and  browns  of  grasses.  5  to  10 
inches  high.      In  dry,  poor  soil,  common. 

Alfalfa.     Lucerne 

Medickgo  safrva — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purple.  Flowers,  in 
racemes.  Pods,  spirally  twisted.  Cultivated  for  fodder,  and  often 
becomes  wild. 

Tick  Trefoil 

Desmodium  nudiflbrutn — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purple.  Leaves, 
3-foliate,  with  roundish  or  ovate  leaflets,  pale  beneath.  Corolla, 
papilionaceous.     July  and  August. 

The  desmodiums,  of  which  there  are  many  species,  are  dis- 
tinguished by  their  jointed  pods,  which  are,  mostly,  straight 
on  the  upper  margin,  scalloped  on  the  lower.  They  are  cov- 
ered with  bristly  hooks,  by  which  they  are  caught  in  the  hair 
or  fleece  of  animals  and  widely  scattered.  One's  feminine 
skirts  are  often  the  medium  of  such  dissemination,  much  to 
one's  annoyance  after  a  walk   in   the  woods   in  early  fall. 

3i3 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

All  these  plants  have  purple  corollas,  generally  rough  stems, 
and  variable,  3-foliate  leaves. 

The  D.  nudiflorum  bears  racemes  of  pedicelled  flowers  on, 
generally,  leafless  scapes  2  feet  high.  The  3-foliate  leaves 
are  numerous  on  the  end  of  a  flowerless  stem,  attended  by 
bristly  stipules.  Pod  raised  on  a  stalk  longer  than  the 
pedicels.  One  of  the  most  common  species.  Dry  woods  in 
all  the  Eastern  States. 

D.  rotundifblium  has  round  leaflets.  The  racemes  of  deep- 
purple  flowers  appear,  with  the  leaves,  in  the  axils  and  on  the  ends 
of  branches.  Stems,  prostrate  and  softly  hairy.  Both  margins 
of  the  pod  strongly  wavy  or  scalloped. 

Massachusetts  to  Florida.     Dry  woods. 

D.  grandiflorum  bears  blossoms  and  leaves  on  the  same  stem. 
Leaves  crowd  the  top  of  the  stem,  none  below,  and  the  raceme 
of  flowers  rises  above  them.  Leaflets,  4  to  5  inches  long,  broad, 
pointed. 

Rich  woods,  Maine  to  Ontario  and  southward. 

D.  bracteosum  is  ascending,  with  straight  stems.  Leaflets,  4  or 
5  inches  long,  lance-shaped,  pointed,  with  large  stipules  and 
bracts.  Petioles,  shorter  than  the  leaflets.  Pods,  with  several 
long  joints. 

In  thickets  and  dense  woods,  New  Hampshire  to  Minne- 
sota and  southward. 

D.  paniculktitm  has  numerous  drooping  panicles  of  flowers  on 
tall,  straight  stems.  Leaflets,  thin,  narrow,  oblong  to  lance- 
shaped,  3  to  5  inches  long.  Stem,  for  the  genus,  smooth,  slender, 
and  tall. 

Maine  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

D.  canadense. — This  is  the  tallest  of  the  desmodiums,  3  to  6  feet 
high.  It  has  coarse,  hairy  stems,  with  large,  showy  flowers. 
Stipules,  small.  Racemes  bearing  many  flowers,  and  pods  of 
few  roundish  joints. 

Open  woods  and  banks  of  streams  from  North  Carolina 
northward,  throughout  the  Eastern  States.  The  flowers  of 
Desmodium  appear  in  late  summer  or  early  fall.  The  specific 
names  generally  indicate  some  peculiarity  of  the  different 
species,  but  most  people  will  be  satisfied  to  recognize  the 

3i4 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

genus,  calling  the  plant  with  sticky,  jointed  pods  which  cling 
to  the  clothing,  small,  purplish,  papilionaceous  flowers,  and 
3-foliate  leaves,  a  desmodium. 

Bush  Clover 

Lespedeza.  procumbens — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purple.  Leaves, 
of  3  leaflets,  with  awl-shaped  stipules.  Corolla,  papilionaceous. 
Flowers,  often  of  2  kinds;  the  larger,  growing  in  panicles  or 
clusters,  are  not  so  fertile  as  the  smaller,  which  are  mingled  with 
the  others  along  the  stem  and  branches.     The  latter  are  usually 


bush  clover  {Lespedeza  procumbens) 


without  petals.  Pods  have  1  or  2  joints,  with  a  single  seed  in  the 
upper;  the  lower  generally  seedless.  Stents,  12  to  30  inches  long, 
trailing  and  prostrate.     Softly  hairy.     August  and  September. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  near  the   coast,  from  New  Hampshire  to 
Florida  and  westward  to  Texas. 

3*5 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

L.  violacea.—  Unlike  the  last  in  that  the  stem  is  erect,  ascend- 
ing, much  branched.  Flowers,  in  scattered  panicles  on  the 
branches.  Corolla,  violet  purple.  Pod,  ovate,  acute.  Leaflets, 
3)  petioled,  obtuse,  small.  Stem,  i  to  3  feet  high.  August  and 
September. 

Dry  soil,  New  England  to  Florida. 

L.  Sttfveu — Stem,  covered  with  down,  erect,  stiff,  with  few 
branches  but  many  leaves,  2  to  4  feet  high.  Flowers,  numerous, 
both  kinds  in  axillary,  almost  sessile  clusters.     Late  summer. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  Long  Island  to  Virginia  and  westward. 

L.  <virg'mica. — Stem,  simple,  erect,  sometimes  branched.  Leaves 
and  both  kinds  of  flowers  thickly  clustered  on  the  stem,  which  is 
1  to  3  feet  high. 

Time  and  habitat  same  as  last. 

L.  capitata  has  globular  heads  with  yellowish  white  corollas, 
a  purple  spot  in  the  standard.  Peduncles,  short.  Flowers  dense- 
ly clustered  in  the  upper  axils.  Stem,  softly  downy,  2  to  5  feet 
high.  Leaves,  sessile,  with  small  stipules.  August  and  Septem- 
ber. 

Dry  fields  everywhere  in  our  range. 

L.  angustifolia  has  linear,  3  -  foliate  leaves  on  short  petioles, 
and  flowers  on  long  peduncles,  in  narrow,  oblong  heads.  2  to  3 
feet  high.     August  and  September. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Many  of  the  bush  clovers  are  pretty  plants,  with  fine, 
delicate  foliage.  Others  are  tall  and  stiff,  with  short- 
stemmed  leaves  and  rigid  heads  of  flowers.  The  genus  may 
be  known  by  the  3 -foliate,  clover-like  leaves  and  smooth, 
1 -seeded,  single  or  double-jointed  pods.  The  pods  of  the 
nearly  related  desmodiums  have  several  joints,  and  they 
are  rough,  clinging  to  the  clothing. 

Spring  Vetch.     Tare 

Vicia  satvva. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  light  purple.  Calyx,  5- 
cleft.  Corolla,  papilionaceous.  Flowers,  large,  one  or  a  pair  in 
the  upper  leaf-axils,  showy.  Leaves,  pinnate,  of  5  to  7  pairs,  the 
leaflets  narrow,  tipped  with  a  tendril.  Stipules,  broad.  Petioles, 
short.     July  and  August. 

This  is  the  common  tare  that  springs  up  in  cultivated 

316 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

fields  from  New  England  to    New  Jersey  and   southward. 

Cultivated  for  fodder. 

V.  tetrasperma. — Weak-stemmed,  J  to  2  feet  long.  Leaflets, 
short-petioled,  4  to  6  pairs,  linear.  Pods,  4-seeded.  Flowers,  on 
long  peduncles,  equaling  the  leaves.     May  to  September. 

Waste  places  and  meadows,  New  England  to  Virginia. 
Hairy  Vetch  or  Tare 

V.  hirsute. — Color,  pale  purplish  blue  or  white.  Peduncles,  1<  >ng, 
bearing  3  to  6  flowers  in  the  axils.  Leaflets,  12  to  14,  one  or  more 
tendrils  at  the  apex.     May  to  September. 

In  fields  and  waste  places.  New  England  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

Beach  Pea 

Lathyrus  maritimus Family,   Pulse.      Color,    purple.      Corolla, 

papilionaceous.  Flowers,  nearly  an  inch  long,  in  panicles.  Leaves, 
of  6  to  10  leaflets,  with  halberd-shaped  stipules,  nearly  as  large 
as  the  leaflets.  Stems,  stout,  trailing  or  climbing  by  means  of 
tendrils,  coarse,  spreading  in  a  low  clump;  slovenly-looking,  be- 
cause the  flowers  quickly  give  way  to  the  pods,  on  the  ends  of 
which  the  faded  corolla  clings.     June  to  September. 

Seashores  from  Long  Island  southward. 

Marsh  Pea.     Marsh  Vetchling 

L.  palustris. —  Color,  light  purplish  blue.  Corolla,  papiliona- 
ceous. Flowers,  about  h  inch  long,  delicate  and  pretty,  4  or 
5  together.  Leaves,  compound,  with  2  to  4  pairs  of  long  and  nar- 
row leaflets,  all  with  long  stipules,  acute  at  both  ends.  Tendrils 
found. on  some,  but  not  all  of  the  leaves.  Stem,  weak  and  trailing, 
1  to  3  feet  long.     July. 

Common  from  New  Jersey  westward  and  southward.  (See 
illustration,  p.  318.) 

Milk  Pea 

Galactia  regularise — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purple.  Calyx,  4- 
divided.  Corolla,  papilionaceous.  Pod,  flat,  hairy,  with  several 
seeds.  There  are  also  ripened  a  few  subterranean,  fleshy  pods. 
Flowers,  in  large,  handsome  racemes,  irregular,  4  to  8  in  a  raceme. 
Stem,  prostrate,  nearly  smooth.  Leaves,  of  3  oblong  to  elliptical 
leaflets. 

In  dry  woods  or  sandy  soil,  near  the  coast,  New  York  to 
Florida. 

3*7 


^-> 


marsh   pea.     marsh   vetchling.      {Lathyrus  pahistris) 
(See  page  317) 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

Common  Flax 

Ltnum  usitatissimum. —  Family,  Flax.  Color,  purplish  blue. 
All  parts  of  the  flower  in  fives,  regularly  alternate  with  one 
another.  Flowers,  in  terminal  corymbs,  large,  delicate.  Leaves, 
alternate,  linear,  sessile,  entire,  without  stipules. 

The  fibrous  part  of  the  plant  is  used  in  the  manufacture  i  >t 
linen  cordage,  sail-cloth,  etc.  Its  seed  furnishes  flax-seed 
oil.  Cultivated  in  this  country,  and  in  places  escaped  from 
cultivation. 

Violet  Wood  Sorrel 

Oxalis  violacea. — Family,  Wood  Sorrel.  Color  of  petals,  violet. 
Sepals,  5,  soon  withering.  Stamens,  10,  the  alternate  ones  short. 
Pistil,  i,  with  5  styles.  Flowers,  several,  in  umbels,  on  scapes  A 
inch  to  2  inches  high.  Leaves,  from  the  root,  petioled,  divided 
into  3  broad  leaflets  which  are  notched  at  the  apex.     June. 

This  pretty  little  plant  of  the  open  and  rocky  woods  has 
no  true  stem.  Both  leaves  and  flower-scapes  arise  from  a 
bulbous  root.  Scapes  6  to  8  inches  high,  taller  than  the 
leaves.  The  oxalis  has  2,  sometimes  3,  different  lengths  of 
stamens  and  pistils. 

Wild  Cranesbill.     Wild  Geranium 

Geranium  maculatum. — Family,  Geranium.  Color,  crimson  or 
purplish.      (See  Pink  Flowers,  p.  262.) 

Long-stalked  Cranesbill 

G,  columbianum. — Color,  purple.  Parts  of  the  flower  in  fives. 
Stamens,  10.  In  this  species  the  peduncles  are  longer  than  the 
leaves.  Stems,  slender,  somewhat  weak,  hairy.  Leaves,  1  inch 
or  more  in  diameter,  very  deeply  cleft  into  5  to  7  divisions,  the 
segments  cut  into  narrow,  irregular  lobes.  Petioles,  slender,  those 
from  the  base  5  to  6  inches  long.  Flowers,  in  pairs,  on  long 
peduncles  springing  from  the  axils.     May  to  July. 

In  fields  and  edging  roadsides,  from  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania southward. 

Milkwort 

Polygala  Nuttallii. — Family,  Milkwort.     Color,  purple.     This  is  a 

low-growing  species,  4  to  7  inches  high,  with  slender,  upright  stem 
branching   above.      Leaves,   small,  linear,  numerous,  all    on    stem. 
Flowers,  on  very  short  pedicels,  making  a  long  spike,  from  which 
the  earlier  flowers  drop  as  the  floral  spike  grows,  leaving  I  he  \  >r 
21  319 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


marsh   milkwort   (Polygala  cvuciata) 


which  form  a  cluster  of  cone-like  scales.  August  and  Septem- 
ber. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,   along  the  coast  from  Massachusetts  to 
Delaware,  southward  and  westward. 

Marsh  Milkwort 

P.  crucikta Color,  greenish  or  dull  purple.     Sepals,  5,  3  green, 

2  colored  like  the  petals.  These  form  the  wings,  larger  than  the 
others.  Flowers,  in  clover-like  heads  or  spikes,  on  low  stems,  4 
to   15  inches  high.     Stems,  square,   slightly  winged.     Leaves,  in 

320 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

whorls  of  4,  long,  narrow,  a  few  scattered.     Heads  of  flowers  rat  her 
large  and  showy.     July  to  September. 

Sandy  swamps,  from  Maine  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Sometimes  in  drier  soil.  When  growing  together  they  have 
a  moss-like  appearance.     (See  illustration,  p.  320.) 

P.  brevifblia.. — Color,  rose  purple.  A  species  resembling  the 
last,  but  smaller,  lower,  more  slender.  Leaves,  also  in  whorls  of 
fours,  and  often  scattered. 

Time  of  blossoming  and  range  nearly  the  same  as  P. 
cruciata. 

Bird-foot  Violet 

Viola  pedkta.  (the  common  and  specific  names  are  taken  from 
the  resemblance  of  the  leaves  to  a  bird's  claws). — Family,  Violet. 
Color,  the  2  upper  petals  dark  purple,  the  3  others  pale  to  violet 
blue.  The  stamens  make  a  central,  yellow  eye.  Sepals,  5,  eared. 
Petals,  5,  one  of  them  spurred.  Stamens,  2,  with  appendages 
which  penetrate  the  spur  cavity.  Flower,  1  inch  across.  Leaves, 
much  cut  into  3  main  divisions,  linear,  the  side  segments  all  cleft 
and  toothed.  One  of  the  "stemless  violets,"  its  flower -scapes 
and  leaves  springing  from  a  short,  erect  rootstock.  Scapes  3  to  10 
inches  high,  about  the  length  of  the  petioles.     April  to  June. 

Dry  soil,  fields  and  hillsides,  in  open  places,  often  abun- 
dant, from  Maine  to  Minnesota,  southward  to  Florida. 

One  of  the  largest  and  prettiest  of  the  wild  violets.  The 
finely  cut  foliage,  a  variation  from  the  prevailing  violet  type 
of  entire  and  heart-shaped  leaf,  adds  much  to  its  beauty. 

I  recall  always  with  satisfaction  a  sterile  knoll  in  Connecti- 
cut, which,  when  a  child,  it  was  one  of  the  pleasures  of  each 
recurring  spring  to  visit.  There  I  could  gather  the  bird- 
foot  violet  by  the  handful,  yet  make  no  impression  upon  the 
spacious  bed  of  bloom;  and  since  I  have  seen  adult  classes 
in  botany  rush  in  a  body  to  inspect  and  secure  a  few  sparsely 
scattered  specimens  of  this  flower,  I  think  my  childish  enthu- 
siasm was  justifiable. 

Cleistogamous,  self-pollinating  blossoms,  without  colored 
petals,  may  be  found  near  the  roots  in  midsummer. 

Arrow-leaved  Violet 

V.  sagittkta,  deep  blue  or  purplish,  with  entire,  arrow-shaped, 
petioled  leaves,  sometimes  toothed  and  variously  cut  near  the  base, 
is  one  of  our  common  species.     The  spur  is  short  and  thick;  petals, 

321 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

rather^large  and  finely  bearded.     Plant,  hairy  or  smooth.     Scapes, 
4  to  9 'inches  high.     April  and  May. 

In  wet  meadows  and  marshes  near  the  coast,  Massachu- 
setts to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

V.  cucullkta..— Color  of  petals,  violet  blue,  darker  toward  the 
center.  Flowers,  on  peduncles  taller  than  the  petioles.  Leaves, 
pointed,  not  cut.     April  and  May. 

Our  commonest  violet,  found  in  the  grass,  in  fields  and 
meadows,  in  early  spring.     Cleistogamous   blossoms  present. 

V.  pa.lma.ia.. — Color,  violet  purple.  Leaves,  all  from  the  root, 
the  early  ones  roundish  or  heart-shaped;  later  ones  variously 
lobed,  often  from  2  to  5  inches  long,  the  middle  division  longest 
and  widest.  Petioles,  rather  long,  hairy,  as  also  the  veinings  of 
the  leaves.  Flowers,  on  scapes  a  little  shorter  than  the  petioles. 
Cleistogamous  flowers  on  creeping  peduncles. 

Dry  soil  of  woods  and  fields,  Massachusetts  to  Minnesota 
and  southward. 

English  Violet.     Sweet  Violet 
V.  odorata Color,  blue,  sometimes  white  or  pale  blue.    Flow- 
ers, fragrant.     Leaves,  clustered,  broadly  heart-shaped,  on  petioles. 
This  is  the  English  violet,  so  much  cultivated  and  sold  on 
our  city  streets.     It  often  escapes  from  cultivation  and  is 
found  in  fields. 

Pansy.     Heart's-ease 

V.  tricolor Color,  purple  and  yellow.     Leaves,  cut  or  entire. 

This  pretty  little  violet  is  a  reminder  of  our  grandmothers' 
gardens.  It  is  the  origin  of  the  pansy  of  infinite  variety  of 
size  and  color,  than  which,  probably,  no  flower  is  more  sought 
after  for  cultivation.  The  heart's-ease  has  run  wild  in  many 
places. 

Long-spurred  Violet 

V.  rostrkta Color,  lilac,  with  a  deeper  colored  spot  near  the 

center.  Its  spur  is  longer  than  the  petals.  This  is  a  violet  with 
leafy  stems,  the  leaves  being  roundish  to  heart-shaped,  toothed, 
the  upper  ones  pointed  at  apex.  Flowers,  on  long  peduncles. 
Stipules,  below  the  leaves,  narrow,  fringed.  Stem,  much  branched, 
2  to  7  inches  high.     June  and  July. 

Shaded  hillsides,  and  moist,  rocky  woods,  New  England  to 
Michigan,  southward  to  Georgia.  Found  2,500  feet  high  in 
Virginia. 

322 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

Dog  Violet 
V,  conspersa.  —  Color,  pale  blue,  sometimes  white.  Leaves, 
upper,  heart-shaped,  pointed;  lower,  kidney-shaped,  crenate, 
ovate  to  lance-shaped,  with  cut,  fringed  stipules.  Flowers,  many, 
on  long  peduncles,  axillary.  Rootstock  branched,  sending  up 
tufts  of  slender  stems,  leafy  to  the  top,  2  to  6  inches  high.  Spur 
of  corolla  half  the  length  of  the  petals.  Stem,  at  first  simple, 
erect;  later,  produces  low,  reclining  branches  on  which,  from  the 
same  axils  where  the  early  blossoms  appeared,  cleistogamous 
flowers  on  short  peduncles  are  borne.     March  to  May. 

In  shady  grounds,  moist  or  wet  soil.  Quebec  to  Minne- 
sota, southward  to  Kentucky  and  North  Carolina. 

Swamp  Loosestrife.     Water  Willow 
Decodon   <verticillktus — Family,   Loosestrife.     Color,  sometimes 
called  purple,  but  more  correctly  magenta.      (See   Pink  Flowers, 
p.  269.) 

Loosestrife 
Lythrum  hyssopifblia — Family,  Loosestrife.  Color,  pale  purple. 
Calyx,  tubular,  with  5  to  7  teeth;  other  teeth,  called  "processes," 
alternate  with  them.  Petals,  5  to  7.  Stamens,  equal  in  number 
to  or  twice  as  many  as  petals,  usually  4  to  6.  Fruit,  a  2 -celled 
pod.  Flowers,  small,  inconspicuous,  single,  growing  in  the  upper 
leaf-axils.  Leaves,  alternate,  scattered,  oblong  to  linear,  sessile, 
obtuse  at  apex,  rounded  at  base.     June  to  September. 

A  smooth,  low  herb,  6  to  24  inches  high.  Salt  marshes, 
near  the  coast  of  Maine  to  New  Jersey. 

Clammy  Cuphea 

Citphea  petiolkta. — Family,  Loosestrife.  Color,  magenta  purple. 
Calyx,  an  elongated  tube  swollen  or  slightly  spurred  near  the 
base,  divided  into  6  teeth  above,  with  other  smaller  teeth  be- 
tween them.  Petals,  6,  of  unequal  size,  inserted  on  the  top  of 
the  calyx-tube.  They  quickly  shrivel  after  the  flower  is  plucked. 
Fruit,  a  capsule,  thin,  easily  ruptured  by  the  springing  back  of 
the  seed-bearing  part  of  the  capsule.  Stem  and  calyx,  sticky, 
hairy,  often  reddish.    Flowers,  showy,  in  racemes  or  single. 

Dry  soil,  in  pastures  or  fields,  common  from  New  Hamp- 
shire to  Georgia  and  westward.  Found  3,300  feet  high  in 
West  Virginia. 

Water  Milfoil 

Myriophyllum  scabrktum — Family,  Water  Milfoil.  Color,  pur- 
plish.    An  aquatic,  with  the  flowers  coming  to  the  surface  of  the 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

water.  Flowers,  of  2  sorts,  the  staminate  with  a  short  calyx-tube 
and  4  stamens;  pistillate,  2  to  4  petals,  4  styles,  and  a  2  to  4-celled 
ovary.  Flowers  in  spikes,  4  to  8  inches  long,  seen  above  the 
water.  Leaves,  those  accompanying  the  flowers  linear,  cut- 
toothed,  whorled,  4  or  5  in  a  whorl,  or  scattered;  those  below  on 
the  slender  stem,  finely  cut  into  thread-like  divisions,  also 
whorled. 

Rhode  Island  to  Florida  and  westward,  near  the  coast  in 
shallow  ponds  with  muddy  bottoms. 

Low  Water  Milfoil 

M.  humile. — Color,  purplish.  Few  or  no  leaves  on  the  flowering 
stems.  Those  under  water  pinnately  parted  into  narrow,  thread- 
like divisions.  Stems,  slender,  1  foot  long,  with  small,  sessile, 
spiked  flowers. 

Ponds,  ditches,  and  pools,  Maine  and  Vermont  to  Mary- 
land, and  locally  westward. 

Sea  Lavender.     Marsh  Rosemary 

Limbnium  caroliniknum — Family,  Leadwort.  Color,  lavender. 
Parts  of  the  flowers  in  fives.  Ovary,  1 -celled,  containing  a  single 
seed.  Petals,  with  long  claws.  Flowers,  small,  growing  on  one 
side  of  naked  branches,  in  panicles,  1  to  3  flowers  together,  1  to 
2  feet  high.  The  calyx  dries  and  remains  through  the  winter, 
making  this  a  plant  much  sought  after  for  dried,  winter  bouquets. 
Leaves,  all  from  the  root,  thick,  oblong,  tapering  into  long  petioles, 
tipped  with  a  bristly  point.     July  to  October. 

Salt  marshes,  along  the  coast,  from  Labrador  to  Texas. 
A  familiar  plant  on  Long  Island. 

Pennywort 

Obolkria  virginica — Family,  Gentian.  Color,  white  or  purple. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  118.) 

Fringed  Gentian 

Gentikna  crintta — Family,  Gentian.  Color,  blue.  Calyx,  4-cleft. 
Corolla,  2  inches  long,  a  tube  with  4  spreading  lobes  finely  fringed 
around  their  edges.  Stamens,  4,  with  glands  between  the  fila- 
ments at  their  bases.  Style,  1  or  none.  Stigmas,  2.  Leaves, 
opposite,  acute  at  apex,  broader,  somewhat  rounded  or  heart- 
shaped  at  base.  Flowers,  solitary,  or  a  few  at  top  of  a  stem,  1 
to  2  feet  high,  standing  stiffly  erect.     September  and  October. 

The  famed  beauty  of  this  plant  lies  chiefly  in  its  clear  blue 
color,  for  it  is  scarcely  graceful.     The  corolla  opens  only  in 

324 


fringed  gentian    {Gcntiana  crinita) 
(See  page  324) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

sunshine,  and  closes  upon  the  approach  of  a  shower.  Moist 
woods,  low  grounds,  often  along  springy  roadsides,  Maine  to 
Idaho,  southward  to  Georgia.  In  places  this  flower  grows 
abundantly,  but  it  is  by  no  means  common.  (See  illustra- 
tion, p.  325.) 

Closed  or  Bottle  Gentian 

G.  Andrfcwsii.  —  Color,  blue,  sometimes  plaited  with  white, 
when  old  turning  a  reddish  purple.  Calyx,  tubular,  with  linear, 
rerurved  lobes.  Corolla,  tubular  with  closed  or  nearly  closed 
lobes,  with  intervening  broad  appendages  or  plaits.  Stamens, 
with  anthers  joined  making  a  tube.  Leaves,  starting  from  a  nar- 
row base,  become  broader  in  the  middle,  acute  at  apex,  whorled 
or  opposite.  Flowers,  in  clusters,  terminal  or  several  in  the 
upper  axils,  crowded  together,  1  to  2  inches  long.  August  to 
October. 

Moist  ground,  low  woods,  from  Maine  to  Georgia  and  west- 
ward to  Missouri.  This  would  seem,  of  necessity,  to  be  a 
self  -  pollinating  flower.  But  bumblebees  have  been  seen 
cutting  their  way  into  the  closed  corolla,  and  in  their  search 
for  nectar  they  may  become  pollen-carriers  to  another  flower. 
It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  the  petals  lacerated.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  327.) 

Stiff  Gentian.     Ague   Weed 

G.  quinquefolia.  —  Color,  pale  blue.  Calyx,  tubular,  with  5 
narrowly  linear  lobes.  Corolla,  a  long,  narrow  tube  divided 
into  5  bristle-pointed,  triangular  broad  lobes.  Flowers,  about 
5,  at  the  summit  of  the  stem  or  branches  in  racemes  or  panicles 
on  slender  pedicels.  Stem,  2  feet  tall  or  less,  slender.  Leaves, 
with  heart-shaped  or  clasping  bases,  pointed,  ovate  to  lance- 
shaped.     August  to  October. 

Moist  or  dry  hillsides,  Maine  to  Florida  and  westward  to 
Missouri.     Found  6,000  feet  high  in  North  Carolina. 

Periwinkle.     Blue  Myrtle 

Vinca  minor — Family,  Dogbane.  Color,  blue.  Parts  of  the 
flower  in  fives.  Calyx  and  corolla,  tubular;  limb  of  the  corolla, 
salver-form.  Stamens,  joined  to  the  corolla.  Smooth,  pros- 
trate plants,  represented  in  the  tropics  by  shrubs  or  trees,  gen- 
erally poisonous  plants.  Leaves,  opposite,  thick,  shining,  ever- 
green. Flowers,  single,  in  the  axils,  peduncled.  February  to 
May. 

Escaped  from  cultivation,  found  now  in  corners  of  neg- 
lected gardens,  along  roadsides,  etc. 

326 


CLOSED    OR    BOTTLE    GENTIAN    {Gaitiana    AfldreWsU) 
(See  page  u'<>) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Purple  Milkweed 

Asdepias  purpurascens.  —  Family,  Milkweed.  (See  description 
of  flower,  p.  10).  Color  of  corolla,  deep  purple.  Leaves,  opposite, 
broad,  ovate  or  oblong,  tapering  to  a  sharp  point,  the  upper  ones 
velvety,  the  lower  hard  and  smooth,  3  to  8  inches  long.  Flowers, 
in  umbels,  3  or  4  umbels  terminating  the  leafy  stem,  on  short 
pedicels.     June  and  July. 

New  Hampshire  to  Minnesota  and  southward.  In  dry 
ground,  as  fields  and  thickets,  along  roadsides.  Found 
2.000  feet  high  in  the  Catskills.  A  handsome  milkweed,  with 
dark  green  leaves  whose  veins  are  raised,  pointed  forward 
and  prominent  on  the  under  side.     (See  illustration,  p.  329.) 

A,  ample  xicaulis.  —  Color  of  corolla,  greenish  purple.  Leaves, 
sessile  or  heart-shaped  and  clasping  the  stem,  obtuse  and  bristle- 
pointed  at  apex,  3  to  5  inches  long.  Stem,  smooth,  pale  green, 
2  to  3  feet  high.  Umbel  of  many  flowers  regular,  all  pedicelled, 
at  the  tip  of  a  long  peduncle,  with  sometimes  a  second  umbel, 
shorter  peduncled,  at  the  base.     May  to  August. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  fields  and  woods.  New  Hampshire  to 
Nebraska  and  southward.     Found  3,000  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

Common  Milkweed.     Silkweed 

A.  syriaca.  —  Color  of  corolla,  pink  or  purple.  (See  Pink 
Flowers,  p.  284.) 

Blue  Phlox 

Phlox  divaricata — Family,  Polemonium.  Color,  pale  lilac  or 
bluish.  Calyx,  tubular,  with  linear  teeth  longer  than  the  tube. 
Corolla,  with  spreading  border,  the  divisions  notched,  a  little 
longer  than  the  tube.  Flowers,  in  cymose  clusters,  pedicelled,  on 
ascending  stems.  Leaves,  on  the  flower  -  stems,  lance  -  shaped, 
sessile;  those  on  sterile  shoots  obtuse,  oblong  or  ovate.  Plant 
12  to  18  inches  high.     April  to  June. 

In  rocky,  moist  woods,  New  England  to  Florida  and  west- 
ward. 

Greek  Valerian 

Polemonium  reptans — Family,  Polemonium.  Color,  blue.  Parts 
of  the  flower  in  fives.  Calyx  and  corolla,  bell-shaped,  the  latter 
with  short  tube  and  open  border.  Flowers,  few,  in  corymbs, 
about  J  inch  long,  nodding  on  weak,  prostrate  stems.  Leaves, 
pinnate,  5  to  15  leaflets,  ovate  or  lance-shaped.  Upper  ones  often 
run  together.     May  and  June. 

Woods,   New  York  to  Minnesota  and   southward.     This 

328 


True    Forget-me-not.     <Myosoti>  scort 


purple  milkweed  {Asclepias  purpurascens) 

(See  page  32S) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

dainty  flower  bears   transplanting  and   thrives   in  our  city 
gardens,  where  I  have  made  its  acquaintance. 

Beggar's  Lice.     Stickseed 

Lippula.  virginikna. — Family,  Borage.  Color,  pale  blue,  near- 
ly white.  Calyx,  tubular,  deeply  5-cleft.  Corolla,  salver-form. 
Fruit,  4  nutlets,  each  becoming  a  sort  of  bur,  covered  with  prickles, 
by  which  means  the  seeds  are  caught  in  fleece  of  sheep  or  coats 
of  animals  and  disseminated.  Flowers,  insignificant,  on  short 
pedicels,  clustered  in  loose  panicles. 

Dry  woods,  thickets,  and  roadsides,  Maine  to  Minnesota, 
south  to  the  Gulf. 

Scorpion  Grass.     True  Forget-me-not 

Myosotis  scorpiotdes. — Family,  Borage.  Color,  light  blue  with 
yellow  eye.  Calyx,  tubular.  Corolla,  salver-form,  the  lobes  open 
and  spreading.  Leaves,  oblong  or  lance  -  shape,  entire,  sessile, 
on  slender,  weak  stems,  which  are  loosely  branched,  rooting  at 
the  lower  joints. 

Cultivated  and  sometimes  found  wild,  escaped. 

M.  tdxa. — Color,  blue.  Flowers,  in  very  loose  racemes.  Leaves, 
oblong  or  lance-shaped,  softly  hairy.     June  and  July. 

Marshes,  banks  of  small  streams.  Every  one  knows  the 
little  forget-me-nots,  and  where  to  find  them  in  the  wet,  grassy 
banks  of  brooks.  They  nestle  modestly  among  mosses  and 
galiums,  peeping  with  mild  eyes  around  clumps  of  onoclea 
fern.  The  flowers  bloom  in  long,  thin,  leafless  spikes.  The 
stems  and  leaves,  when  rubbed  tip  ward,  are  somewhat 
rough. 

Those  who  have  seen  the  blue  forget-me-not  in  shady,  wet 
places  in  Europe,  with  its  large,  bright  blue  corolla  and  its 
full  spike  of  blossoms,  will  say  that  we  do  not  know  this 
flower.  Our  blossoms  are  few  and  scanty,  buds  and  fruit 
occupying  the  most  of  the  flowering  raceme. 

Virginian  Cowslip.     Bluebells.     Lungwort 

MertensU  <virginica.. — Family,  Borage.  Color,  light  blue.  Calyx, 
short,  deeply  5-parted.  Corolla,  trumpet-shaped,  about  1  inch 
long.  Stamens,  5.  Flowers,  in  loose  panicles  or  clusters,  the 
lower  ones  with  leafy  bracts,  all  on  slender  pedicels,  often  droop- 
ing. Stem,  pale  green,  erect,  1  to  2  feet  high.  Leaves,  alternate, 
entire,  quite  veiny.     April  and  May. 

A  showy  flower,  pinkish  in  bud,  purplish  blue  when  in  full 

33o 


Vervain.      (Verbena  officinalis). 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

bloom.     River    banks.     New  York  to   South  Carolina  and 
westward.     Often  cultivated. 

Viper's  Bugloss.     Blue-weed.     Blue  Devil 

Echium  -vulgare. — Family,  Borage.  Color,  blue  at  first,  be- 
coming red.  Buds,  pink.  Corolla,  5-lobed,  spreading,  with  red 
stamens  protruding.  Flowers,  compactly  panicled  on  the  upper 
side  of  a  curved  branch.  Leaves,  coarse,  hairy,  linear  to  lance- 
shaped,  sessile.     Stem,  1  to  3  feet  high.     June  to  September. 

A  coarse  and  bristly  plant,  not  without  a  certain  pretti- 
ness  in  the  blossoms,  but  along  roadsides  covered  with  dust, 
plebeian-looking.     Dry  soil,  roadsides  and  fields.     Common. 

Blue  Vervain 

Verbena,  ha.sta.ta.. — Family,  Vervain.  Color,  violet  blue.  Calyx, 
5-toothed,  one  tooth  being  shorter  than  the  others.  Corolla, 
tubular,  with  spreading  border,  5-cleft.  Flowers,  in  spikes,  sessile, 
small,  narrow,  on  erect,  4-sided  stems,  3  to  7  feet  high.  Leaves, 
petioled,  oblong  to  lance-shape,  sharply  pointed  at  apex,  the 
lower  often  lobed  or  halberd-shaped,  serrate  with  sharp  teeth. 
June  to  September. 

In  low  grounds,  borders  of  swamps,  moist  fields  and  mead- 
ows in  all  the  Eastern  States  and  westward  to  New  Mexico. 

The  vivid  blue  of  this  tall  plant  makes  it  a  conspicuous 
fall  flower.  It  would  be  pretty  were  the  flowers  all  to  blos- 
som at  once;  but  buds  above,  seeds  below,  a  small  circle  of 
bloom  between  is  its  parsimonious  habit. 

The  vervain  (verbena)  seems  to  have  been  connected  with 
magic,  acting  as  a  charm  against  witches.  Says  Mr.  Knight, 
in  his  biography  of  Shakespeare: 

"  Some  of  the  children  said  that  a  horseshoe  over  the  door, 
and  vervain  and  dill,  would  preserve  them,  as  they  had  been 
told,  from  the  devices  of  sorcery."     (See  illustration,  p.  332.) 

V.  angustifblia.  —  Color,  purple  or  blue.  A  low  plant  with 
slender  stem,  1  to  2  feet  high.  Leaves,  linear  or  lance -shape, 
tapering  into  short  petioles,  serrate.  Spikes  of  flowers  crowded, 
single,  terminating  the  branches.  Fruits  quickly  follow  the 
flowers,  overlapping  one  another.     July  and  August. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward. 
European  Vervain 

V.  officinalis. —  Color,  purplish.  Floivers,  small,  with  the  2- 
lipped  corolla  in  long,  thread-like  spikes  which  at  first  are  short, 

33i 


blue  vervain   (Verbena  hastata) 
(See  page  331) 


BLUE   AND   PURPLE    GROUP 

but  grow  to  4  or  5  inches  in  length.  Leaves,  the  upper  long, 
narrow,  acute,  sessile,  entire;  lower  pinnately  cleft  into  3  lobes, 
which  are  much  cut  and  toothed,  with  margined  petioles.  Stem, 
square,  1  to  3  feet  high,  much  branched.     June  to  September. 

Often  a  weed  in  cultivated  grounds ;  found  also  in  old  waste 
fields  and  along  roadsides,  from  Maine  to  Florida,  more 
common  in  the  Middle  States. 

False  Pennyroyal 

Isanthus  bra.chia.tus — Family,  Mint.  Color,  pale  blue.  Calyx, 
bell-shaped  with  5  equal  lobes.  Corolla,  small,  about  \  inch  long, 
with  nearly  equal,  blunt,  spreading  lobes.     Stamens,  4.     Flowers, 

1  to  3,  on  peduncles,  in  the  leaf-axils.  Leaves,  entire,  3 -nerved, 
narrow  and  long.  Plant  low,  much  branched,  downy  and 
clammy.     July  and  August. 

Dry,  sterile  soil,  Vermont  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 
Blue  Curls.     Bastard  Pennyroyal 

Trichostema  dichotomum — Family,  Mint.  Color,  blue.  Calyx, 
2-cleft,  the  3  upper  teeth  longer  than  the  2  lower.  Corolla, 
tubular,  2-lipped,  the  lobes  all  linear.  Stamens,  with  long,  curved 
filaments  which  project  far  out  of  the  flower.     Flowers,  pedicelled, 

2  or  3  together,  with  bracts  under  the  peduncles,  making  loose 
panicles.  Leaves,  lance-shaped  to  oblong,  the  lower  petioled,  en- 
tire. Stem,  4  to  8  inches  high,  clammy,  viscid,  glandular,  with 
a  not  wholly  agreeable  fragrance.     July  to  October. 

Dry  fields,  almost  a  weed.  By  a  twisting  of  the  pedicels 
the  flower  becomes  inverted.      (See  illustration,  p.  334.) 

T.  linekre.  —  Color,  blue,  and  flowers  like  the  last.  Leaves, 
linear,  sessile,  $  to  2  inches  long.  Stem,  smooth,  slender,  branch- 
ed above.  Fruit  of  this  and  the  preceding  species  4  well-marked 
nutlets.     July  and  August. 

Near  the  coast,  dry,  sandy  fields  and  pine  barrens,  Con- 
necticut to  Georgia  and  Louisiana. 

Mad-dog  Skullcap 
Scutellaria  lateriflora — Family,  Mint.  Color,  blue.  Calyx,  bell- 
shaped,  divided,  the  upper  lip  with  a  liood,  a  protuberance  which 
makes  the  plant  easily  recognizable.  Later  this  falls  away,  but 
the  lower  lip  remains.  Corolla,  a  curved  tube,  divided  above 
into  2  lips,  the  upper  arched  and  curved,  the  lower  spreading. 
Leaves,  ovate  or  lance-shaped,  serrate  with  coarse  teeth,  short  - 
petioled.     Stem,  8  to  24  inches  high,  upright,  branched.     Flowers, 

333 


blue  curls  {Tricho  sterna  dichotomum) 
(See  page  333) 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

in  axillary  and  sometimes  one-sided  racemes,  terminating  the 
branches     Delicate  and  pretty.     July  to  September. 

In  wet  grounds  common  in  all  the-  Eastern  and  Middle 
States.  The  common  name  indicates  that  it  was  once  con- 
sidered a  cure  for  hydrophobia.      (See  illustration,  p.  336.) 

Marsh  Skullcap 
5.    ga.lericula.ta — Color,    blue.     Flowers,    larger   than   the   last, 
with  much  the  same  habit  of  growth.     Corolla,  with  long,  slender 
tube  and  a  large  lower  lip.     Leaves,  with  short  petioles  or  none, 
lance-shape,  serrate.     June  to  August. 

Same  general  habitat  as  the  last,  swamps  and  wet  grounds, 
New  England  to  New  Jersey,  in  mountains  to  North  Carolina, 
westward  to  Ohio  and  Nebraska. 

Hyssop  Skullcap 
S.  integri folia.. — Color,  blue.  Calyx,  bell-shape,  2-lipped,  the 
upper  lip  with  the  hood-like  swelling  which  marks  this  genus. 
Corolla,  rather  large,  2-lipped,  the  lips  distinct,  but  nearly  equal 
in  length.  Stems,  whitish  with  minute  down,  6  inches  to  2  feel 
high,  generally  simple.  Leaves,  the  upper  short  -  petioled  or 
sessile,  thin,  linear;  the  lower,  roundish,  long-petioled,  slightly 
toothed.  Bracts  under  the  flowers,  which  grow  in  terminal  long 
racemes  or  panicles.     May  to  July. 

Near  the  coast,  in  moist  ground,  fields,  woods,  and  thickets, 
Massachusetts  to  Florida,  westward  to  Texas. 

Small  Skullcap 
S.  parvula. —  Color,  violet.  A  small  species,  3  to  12  inches 
high,  with  slender  stem,  somewhat  branched,  a  tiny  blue  violet 
flower  appearing  in  the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves.  Perennials  from 
slender,  tuberous  rootstocks.  Leaves,  oval,  ovate,  or  roundish 
below,  linear  above,  £  inch  long.     April  to  July. 

Moist  or  sandy  soil,  Vermont  to  Tennessee  and  Texas. 

S*  nervosa Color,  bluish  purple.     Leaves,  thin,  serrate,  those 

below  petioled,  heart  -  shape,  or  roundish  at  base;  upper,  ovate 
to  lance  -  shape,  entire,  all  with  prominent  veins  underneath. 
Flowers,  single  in  the  upper  axils.  Nutlets,  winged,  each  raised 
on  an  enlargement  of  the  receptacle.     May  to  August. 

Rich,  moist  woods,  New  York,  south  to  North  Carolina 
and  westward  to  Missouri.  Found  3,000  feet  high  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

22  335 


mad-dog  skullcap   (Scutellaria  lateriflora) 
(See  page  333) 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

Giant  Hyssop 

Agastache  scrophulariae  folia. —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  purple. 
Calyx,  bell-shape,  5-toothed.  Corolla,  2 -lipped,  the  upper  lip 
2-lobed,  erect,  the  lower  3-lobed,  spreading.  Flowers,  gathered 
in  a  close,  large  spike,  3  to  18  inches  long,  attended  with  bracts. 
Stem,  4-angled.  Leaves,  softly  hairy  underneath,  acute,  ovate 
or  heart-shape,  petioled.     July  to  October. 

New  Hampshire  to  Wisconsin,  southward  to  Kentucky 
and  North  Carolina.     Strong-scented. 

Ground  Ivy.     Gill-over-the-ground 

Nepeta  hederacea.— Family,  Mint.  Color,  blue.  Calyx,  5-toothed, 
small.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  small,  2-cleft;  the  lower, 
broad,  3-cleft.  Leaves,  crenate,  round  or  kidney-shape,  petioled. 
Flowers,  in  clusters,  in  the  axils.     May  to  July. 

A  prostrate,  trailing  plant,  often  found  bordering  garden 
paths  in  damp,  shady  places.  Near  large  towns  or  cities. 
A  near  relative  of  catnip. 

Self-heal.  Heal-all.  Carpenter-weed 
Prunella  vulgaris.  —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  violet  or  purplish 
blue.  Calyx  and  corolla,  tubular,  2-lipped.  Filaments  split  above, 
the  lower  tooth  bearing  the  anther.  Flowers,  in  clusters  of  3, 
sessile,  all  in  a  compact,  terminal,  clover-like  head.  Bract-like 
leaves  grow  with  them.  Leaves,  petioled,  long,  narrow,  entire  or 
toothed,  generally  rough-hairy.     June  to  September. 

A  plebeian-looking  plant  growing  in  pastures  and  beside 
roads.  It  is  smart  and  cheery  looking,  although  often  sadly 
dusted  and  bedraggled.  6  inches  high.  Common.  (See 
illustration,  p.  338.) 

Common  Hemp  Nettle 
Galeopsis  Tetrahit. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  purple.  Calyx,  with 
5  equal  teeth.  Corolla,  with  upper  lip  arched,  curved,  not  lobed; 
lower,  3-cleft,  the  middle  inversely  heart-shape.  Throat,  with  2 
teeth  in  the  folds.  Flowers,  in  whorls  in  axils  of  the  upper 
leaves.  Stem,  very  hairy,  swollen  below  its  joints.  Leaves, 
ovate,  coarsely  serrate.     August  and  September. 

Low,  branching  plant,  common  in  waste  places  and  dry 
fields. 

Dead  Nettle 
Lamium  ample xicaule. — Family,  Mint.     Color,  purplish.     Calyx 
and  corolla,  tubular.     Corolla,  small,  2-lipped,  the  lips  quite  open, 

337 


self-heal   (Prunella  vulgaris) 
(See  page  337) 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

upper  rounded  and  concave,  lower  flat,  hanging,  with  its  small  side- 
lobes  purple-spotted.  Flowers,  in  whorls  in  axils  of  the  opposite 
leaves.  Leaves,  rounded,  deeply  toothed,  those  above  clasping 
the  stem,  sessile;   the  lowest  long-petioled.      April  to  October. 

In  cultivated  and  waste  grounds.     Common. 

Motherwort 
Leonurus  Cardiaca. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  pale  purple.  Corolla, 
2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  bearded;  lower  in  3  divisions,  spreading. 
Flowers,  in  close  whorls  in  the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves.  Leaves, 
those  below  palmately  cut,  with  long  petioles,  those  near  the 
flower  3 -cleft  into  lance  -  shaped  lobes,  wedge  -  shape  at  base. 
Stem,  erect,  2  to  5  feet  high,  branched,  rather  stout.  June  to 
September. 

Common  near  dwellings  and  in  waste  places. 

L.  sibiriass. — Color,  purplish.  Leaves,  long-petioled,  3 -parted, 
the  divisions  again  cut  into  lance-shaped  lobes;  lower  leaves 
quite  large,  6  inches  across,  entire  or  slightly  toothed.  Staff, 
stout,  2  to  6  feet  high,  with  slender  branches.     May  to  September. 

Found  south  of  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware.  Often  a 
weed  around  dwellings  and  in  waste  places. 

Hedge  Nettle 

Stachys  hyssopifolia. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  light  purple.  Calyx, 
5-toothed,  bell-shape,  rather  hairy.  Corolla,  with  a  narrow,  long 
tube  and  spreading  border.  Flowers,  in  clusters  of  4  to  6  grow- 
ing in  the  upper  leaf-axils.  Stem,  slender,  erect,  8  to  18  inches 
high,  hairy  along  the  joints.  Leaves,  long  and  narrow,  thin, 
pointed  at  both  ends,  with  short  petioles  or  sessile.  July  to 
September. 

In  moist  fields  or  wet,  sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  to  Florida, 
west  to  Michigan. 

Woundwort 

S.  palustris. — Color,  purplish,  tending  to  pale  red,  the  lip  of 
the  corolla  spotted.  Flowers,  in  rather  crowded  whorls,  6  to 
10  in  a  whorl,  in  the  upper  axils,  forming  close,  interrupted  spikes. 
Stem,  leafy,  erect,  simple,  hairy  along  the  angles,  1  to  4  feet 
high.  Leaves,  upper,  sessile,  shorter  than  the  calyx,  long,  narrow; 
lower,  short-petioled,  broader,  heart-shape  at  base,  with  roundish 
teeth.     Stem-leaves  rough-hairy.     June  to  September. 

Wet  ground,  along  streams,  common,  as  far  south  as  North 
Carolina  and  westward  to  Illinois  and  Minnesota. 

339 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

5.  tenuifblia. — Color,  reddish  purple.  Much  like  the  preceding, 
with  flowers  in  upper  leaf-axils.  Stem,  smooth,  slender,  branched, 
i  to  2h  feet  high.  Leaves,  thin,  lance-shaped,  toothed,  with 
petioles,  often  obtuse  or  tending  to  heart-shape  at  base.  June  to 
August. 

Low  and  moist  fields,  New  York  to  Illinois,  south  to  North 
Carolina  and  Louisiana.  Found  4,000  feet  high  in  North 
Carolina. 

Lyre-leaved  Sage 

Salvia,  lyrata. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  bluish  purple.  Calyx,  2- 
lipped,  the  upper  lip  3-toothed,  sometimes  entire.  Corolla,  gaping, 
deeply  cut  into  2  lips,  the  upper  straight,  slightly  notched  or  en- 
tire, the  lower  3-lobed,  spreading.  Stamens,  2  perfect  ones  on 
short  filaments,  at  whose  summits  a  thread  crosses,  bearing  at 
one  extremity  a  single  anther-cell  ascending  under  the  upper  lip, 
and  at  the  other  an  imperfect  but  pollen-bearing  anther,  descend- 
ing. This  separation  of  the  anther-cells  by  a  transverse  filament 
is  characteristic  of  sages.  Leaves,  from  the  root,  deeply  cut,  lyre- 
shape,  sometimes  entire;  on  the  stem,  generally  a  single  pair, 
small  and  narrow;  near  the  flower,  a  few,  bract-like.  May  and 
June. 

Sandy,  open  woods  and  barrens,  Connecticut  to  Illinois, 
south  to  Florida  and  Texas. 

5.  officinalis  is  the  common  aromatic  sage  of  the  gardens,  with 
purplish  blue  flowers  in  whorls  about  the  stem.  The  name  is  de- 
rived from  salvus,  "in  good  health,"  from  supposed  curative 
properties.  An  old  writer  says:  "It  is  good  for  the  head  and 
brain.  It  quickens  the  memory  and  senses.  No  man  needs  to 
doubt  of  the  wholesomeness  of  sage." 

Wild  Bergamot 

Monarda  fistulosa.  —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  purple  or  white 
dotted  with  purple.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  121.) 

American  Pennyroyal 

Hedebma  pulegioides. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  blue.  Calyx  and 
corolla,  2-lipped.  The  upper  lip  of  corolla  is  notched;  lower,  3- 
cleft.  Stamens,  2.  Low,  erect  stems,  with  a  few  flowers  in  whorls 
in  the  leaf-axils  near  the  tops  of  the  branches.  It  is  rough,  hairy, 
stiff,  erect,  growing  plentifully  in  dry  woods.  4  to  6  inches  high. 
Leaves,  small,  petioled,  somewhat  toothed,  ovate,  strongly  scented. 

Dry  fields  and  woods,  New  England  southward  and  west- 
ward. 

340 


BLUE   AND   PURPLE   GROUP 

Blephilia 

Btephilia  ciliata. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  lavender  or  pale  blue. 
Leaves,  green  above,  whitish  and  downy  beneath,  nearly  sessile, 
ovate,  narrowing  at  the  base.  Hairy,  colored  bracts  under  the 
calyx.  Calyx,  tubular,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  armed  with  3  long, 
the  lower  with  2  shorter  teeth.  Corolla,  with  2  about  equal  lips, 
hairy,  the  upper  entire;  the  lower  3-divided,  spreading,  the  middle 
lobe  notched  and  narrower  than  the  side  lobes.  Stamens,  2. 
Two  feet  or  less  high.  Flowers,  in  terminal  round  heads  and  in 
whorls  around  the  stem  in  the  leaf-axils.  Whole  plant  rough 
and  hairy.     June  to  August. 

Dry  soil,  open  places.  From  Massachusetts  southward 
and  westward. 

Wood  Mint 

B.  hirstita.  —  Color,  pale  purple  with  darker  spots.  Flowers, 
with  tubular,  2-lipped  calyx  and  corolla,  in  whorls  around  the 
stem  and  forming  round,  terminal  heads.  Leaves,  with  long 
petioles,  ovate,  rounded  or  heart  -  shape  at  base,  pointed;  floral 
bracts  linear,  shorter  than  the  calyx.  Calyx,  with  long  hairs, 
and  whole  plant  rough-hairy.     June  to  September. 

Deep,  cool  woods  and  shaded  places  throughout  the  Atlan- 
tic States. 

Summer  Savory 

Satureja  hortensis — Family,  Mint.  This  is  the  mint  familiar  to 
housekeepers,  used  for  flavorings,  which  has  escaped  from  our  gar- 
dens and  become  wild  in  some  places.  Flowers,  purple,  clustered 
in  a  spike,  without  bracts,  with  narrow,  entire,  small  leaves. 

Basil 

S.  -vulgaris. — Color,  pink  lavender.  A  very  hairy  species,  with 
erect,  slender  stem,  1  to  2  feet  high.  Flowers,  like  the  preceding, 
in  dense,  axillary  and  roundish,  terminal  clusters.  Leaves,  with 
short  petioles,  ovate,  pointed,  somewhat  toothed.  June  to 
October. 

Woods  and  thickets,  New  England  to  Virginia  and  west- 
ward. 

Wild  Marjoram 

Origanum  vulgar e Family,    Mint.      Color,   purplish.     Lea 

petioled,  roundish,  entire,  sprinkled  underneath  with  resinous 
dots.  Calyx,  5-toothed.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  4-lobed,  the  upper 
lip  broad  and  slightly  notched.  Stamens,  4,  standing  well  out 
from  the  flower.  The  bracts  and  stem  of  this  plant  often  have 
a  purplish  tinge.     July  and  August. 

34i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

The  small  flowers  are  arranged  in  terminal,  close  spikes 
with  the  colored  bracts  interspersed.  The  whole  plant 
fragrant  and  with  a  pleasant  taste. 

Dry  fields  and  roadsides,  New  England  to  Pennsylvania. 

Mountain  Mint.     Basil 

Pycndnthemam  cvirginianum. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  whitish  or 
light  purple,  dotted  with  darker  purple.  Leaves,  long,  narrow, 
nearly  sessile,  clustered  thickly  in  the  axils;  those  nearest  the 
flowers  whitish,  with  a  soft  down.     July  and  August. 

There  are  several  species  of  mountain  mint,  found  oftener 
below  the  hills  than  upon  them.  Most  of  them  have  small 
flowers  with  a  5-toothed  calyx  and  2 -lipped  corolla  crowded 
in  button-like  heads,  downy,  whorled  around  the  stem  and 
terminal  in  close  cymes.  With  the  heads  are  short,  stiff, 
pointed  bracts.  It  is  not  easy  always  to  distinguish  the 
species.     (See  illustration,  p.  343.) 

P.  flexudsum  often  grows  with  the  last.  Color,  purple.  Leaves, 
linear,  firm.  Calyx-teeth,  awn-pointed.  Heads  of  flowers  ter- 
minating the  branches. 

Dry  ground  throughout  the  Atlantic  States. 

P.  muticum  has  broader  leaves  than  the  last,  with  rounded  or 
heart-shaped  bases,  and  few,  rather  large  heads  of  purplish 
flowers  in  dense  clusters,  corymbose.     Whole  plant  downy. 

New  Hampshire  to  Missouri  and  southward. 

P,  Torrei.  —  Color,  purple.  Heads  of  flowers,  roundish,  ter- 
minal, dense.  Green  throughout,  and  not,  like  the  last,  whitish. 
Leaves,  thin,  petioled,  long,  narrow,  pointed  at  both  ends. 

Dry  soil,  fields  and  woods,  New  York  to  Georgia. 

P.  incanum. — Color,  purple.  Flowers,  in  large,  open  cymes  or 
loose  clusters,  terminal  and  in  the  upper  axils.  Leaves,  ovate, 
those  above  covered  with  whitish  down  on  both  sides,  with  short 
petioles,   broadly  toothed. 

Open  woods  and  dry  hills,  Virginia  to  Georgia.  All  these 
species  of  the  mountain  mint  grow  in  dry  soil,  in  fields  or 
woods,  and  are  common  in  the  Atlantic  States,  north  and  south. 

Creeping  Thyme 

Thymus  Serpyllum. — Family,  Mint.  Color,  purplish.  Leaves, 
very  small,  ovate,  with  fringing  hairs  at  the  base.     Flowers,  in 

342 


mountain  mint,     basil.     (Pycnanthemum  virginianum) 

(See  pure    ; |  I  | 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

whorls  of  6,  without  bracts,  but  with  a  pair  of  floral  leaves  form- 
ing a  long,  slender  spike.  A  much-branched,  low,  slender  plant, 
forming  dense  tufts  from  one  root. 

In  old  fields  and  dry  soil.  Escaped  from  gardens.  It  was 
used  for  seasoning  by  the  old  Romans.  Thyme  and  honey 
were  found  on  Mount  Hymettus.  Honey  made  from  this 
plant  was  greatly  liked. 

Dittany 

Cuntla  origanoides — Family,  Mint.  Color,  white  or  purplish. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  123.) 

Spearmint 

Mentha  spicaia. —  Family,  Mint.  Color,  pale  blue.  Leaves, 
oblong,  serrate,  wrinkled,  short-petioled  or  sessile.  Flower-bracts 
linear,  rather  large,  under  the  separate  clusters  of  flowers,  which 
form  interrupted  terminal  spikes.  Stem,  erect,  1  to  ih  feet  high. 
Perennial  by  leafy  runners. 

Common  in  all  wet  places.      (See  illustration,  p.  345 •) 
Peppermint 

M.    piperita Color,    purple.     Calyx,    streaked    with    purple, 

hairy.  Leaves,  petioled,  dark  green,  oblong  to  lance-shaped, 
purple-veined.  Flowers,  in  whorls  of  dense  continuous  or  inter- 
rupted spikes,  terminal,  or  sometimes  axillary.  July  to  Septem- 
ber. 

In  wet  soil,  along  brooks.  The  peppermint  of  confec- 
tionery and  medicine. 

Water  Mint 

M.  aquatica. — A  somewhat  hairy  species  with  purplish  flowers 
clustered  in  the  axils  or  terminal.     August  to  October. 

Wet  places,  somewhat  rare. 

M.  arvensis.— Color,  white,  pink  or  violet.     (See  White  Flowers, 

P-   I23-) 

Horse  Nettle 

Solarium  carolinense.  —  Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  violet  or 
rarely  white.  Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla,  wheel-shaped,  5-parted. 
Fruit,  a  2-celled  berry.  Stout,  erect  perennials,  with  many  stiff, 
yellowish  prickles  upon  the  roughly  hairy  stem.  Leaves,  toothed, 
oblong  or  ovate,  lobed  or  pinnately  cut,  2  to  6  inches  long.  May 
to  September. 

Dry  ground  and  waste  places,  Connecticut  to  Florida  and 
westward. 

344 


spearmint  (Mentha  spicata) 

(See  page  344) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Snapdragon 

Antirrhinum  majus. — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  white,  blue,  or 
purple,  sometimes  variegated  with  crimson.  Calyx,  5-parted,  the 
lobes  short.  Corolla,  tubular,  the  tube  swollen  in  front,  2-lipped, 
the  upper  lip  divided  into  2  short  lobes,  the  lower  3-divided, 
spreading  at  the  tip,  meeting  below  and  closing  the  throat.  4 
stamens,  in  pairs,  2  shorter,  2  longer.  Leaves,  narrowly  oblong, 
entire. 

A  perennial  with  leaves  and  stem  glandular,  somewhat 
sticky.  Escaped  from  cultivation  and  found  wild  in  many 
places.  It  would  seem  to  be  a  discouraging  flower  for  in- 
sects to  extract  nectar  from,  but  as  a  bee  stands  upon  the 
lower  lip,  it  drops  down  and  opens  the  throat  which  would 
remain  closed  to  a  smaller  insect.  (See  White  Flowers,  p.  125.) 

A.    Orontium.—  Color,  white  or  purple.      (See  White  Flowers, 

P-  I25-) 

Blue  Toadflax 

Linkria  canadensis — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  light  blue.  Calyx, 
5-parted.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  with  a  small,  thread-like  spur  grow- 
ing from  the  lower  lip.  Upper  leaves,  bract-like;  lower,  linear, 
entire;  root-leaves  somewhat  cut  into  linear  divisions.     Flowers, 


blue  toadflax  (Linaria  canadensis) 

in  terminal  racemes  on  slender  stems,  unbranched,  1  to  2  feet  high. 
A  rosette  of  dissected  leaves  is  often  found  growing  at  the  base  of 
the  stem.     May  to  September. 

346 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

A  weed  in  cultivated  grounds,  in  sandy,  dry  soil,  rather 
persistent.     Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

Figwort 

Scrophulkria  marilAndica  (a  reputed  remedy  for  scrofula). — 
Family,  Figwort.  Color,  a  brownish  purple  or  chocolate.  Leaves, 
opposite,  deeply  serrate,  ovate  or  oblong,  rounded  or  heart-shaped 
at  base,  pointed  at  apex.  Calyx,  deeply  5-divided.  Corolla, 
rounded,  tubular,  with  5  lobes,  the  lower  spreading,  the  two 
upper  longer  than  the  others  and  erect.  Stamens,  5,  with  anthers 
lying  across  the  filaments  and  running  together  into  a  ring.  A 
rudiment  of  the  fifth  stamen  may  be  seen.  Stem,  smooth,  4-sided, 
3  or  4  feet  high,  with  small,  insignificant  flowers  terminating  the 
branches.     July  to  September. 

This  herb  gives  the  name  to  a  large  and  important  family 
of  plants,  and,  curiously,  has  not  the  markedly  2-lipped 
corolla  which  distinguishes  most  of  the  figworts.  Open, 
rich,  moist  woods.  Massachusetts  to  South  Carolina  and 
westward. 

Water  Hyssop 

Bacbpa  Monniera. — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  blue.  Leaves,  clasp- 
ing the  stem,  egg-shape,  opposite,  entire,  giving  forth  a  pleasant 
fragrance  when  crushed.  Calyx,  5-parted,  the  upper  sepal  heart- 
shape.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  notched,  the  under  3- 
lobed.     Stamens,  4.     Style,  2 -parted  at  the  top.     Summer. 

Low  and  creeping,  rather  fleshy  plants,  with  single  small 
flowers  in  the  leaf-axils.  Growing  around  ponds  in  pine 
barrens  in  New  Jersey  to  Louisiana. 

Beard-tongue 

Penstemon  hirsutus  (name  means  "fifth  stamen"). —  Family, 
Figwort.  Color,  lilac  or  whitish.  Corolla,  tubular,  2-lipped,  the 
upper  lip  2-divided,  the  lower  3.  There  are  4  fertile  stamens; 
the  fifth,  sterile,  with  a  profusely  bearded  filament,  gives  the 
flower  its  name.  Flowers,  large,  crowded  in  a  dense  panicle. 
Stem,  2  to  3  feet  high,  covered  with  a  fine,  whitish  bloom.  Leaves% 
lance-shape  or  ovate,  those  below  somewhat  toothed.  May  to 
July. 

Dry  or  rocky,  sterile  soil,  Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Monkey  Flower 

Mimulus    ringens   (diminutive  of    mimus,   a   buffoon,   from   the 

"grinning    corolla").  —  Family,    Figwort.      Color,    lilac.     Calyx, 

with   5  angles  and  teeth.     Corolla,   tubular,    2-lipped,  upper  lip 

3-lobed,  lower  3-divided;  of  the  snapdragon  order,  slightly  open. 

347 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

The  flowers  grow  near  the  upper  part  of  the  stem,  in  the  leaf- 
axils  hanging  from  long,  slender  peduncles.  The  stem  is  sharply 
4-angled,  2  or  3  feet  high,  smooth.  Leaves,  opposite,  meeting 
and  clasping  the  stem,  long  and  narrow  or  oblong,  pointed, 
toothed.     July  to  September. 

Wet  grounds,  banks  of  streams,  etc.  In  all  the  Eastern 
States.      (See  illustration,  p.  349-) 

Winged  Monkey  Flower 

M.  alktus. — Color,  lilac.  Often  growing  beside  the  last  species 
is  the  winged  monkey  flower,  having  a  sharply  angled  or  winged 
stem,  petioled  leaves,  and  flowers  on  shorter  peduncles. 

In  the  same  delicate  shade  of  lilac  and  in  general  habit, 
the  two  species  resemble  each  other. 

False  Pimpernel 

Itysanthes  dubia.  —  Family,  Figwort.  Color,  light  purple. 
Flower,  2-lipped  or  "labiate,"  the  upper  lip  cut  into  2  divisions, 
the  lower  into  3.  Flowers  in  racemes,  terminal,  or  from  the 
leaf-axils,  on  long,  slender  pedicels,  heaves,  small;  numerous, 
roundish,  sessile,  some  clasping.  A  plant  6  or  8  inches  high, 
much  branched.     All  summer. 

The  name  means  "  mud-flower,"  and  reveals  its  habitat  in 
wet  and  muddy  places.     Common  in  all  our  Eastern  States. 

Water  Speedwell 

Veronica.  Ana.gallls-a.qua.tica. Family,    Figwort.     Color,    pale 

blue  striped  with  purple.  Calyx,  4-parted.  Corolla,  4-parted, 
spreading,  wheel-shaped.  Stamens,  2.  The  delicate  flowers  grow 
in  spikes  from  the  axils  of  opposite  leaves,  thus  making  the 
flowers  in  pairs.  Leaves,  entire,  serrate,  acute,  narrow,  clasping 
at  base.  Stem,  creeping  and  rooting  along  the  ground,  the  tip 
and  flowering  branches  erect.     June  to  August. 

In  wet  soil,  along  brooks  and  ditches.  Massachusetts 
southward. 

American  Brooklime 

V.  americkna Color,    blue.     This    differs    from    the    last    in 

having  leaves  with  short  petioles,  oblong,  sharply  serrate.  Flowers, 
in  peduncled  racemes  borne  in  nearly  all  the  axils.  April  to 
September. 

In  wet  places,  as  swamps,  from  Pennsylvania  northward 
across  the  continent. 

343 


MONKEY    FLOWER    {MimillllS    tillgCHs) 
(See  page  347) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Marsh  Speedwell 

V.  scutellaia. — Color,  pale  blue.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  sessile, 
acute.  Flowers,  on  slender  pedicels,  in  racemes,  single  or  in 
pairs,  the  panicles  often  bent  in  a  zigzag  fashion.  6  to  12  inches 
high.      May  to  August. 

Swamps  and  wet  grounds,  roadsides,  and  along  brooks, 
New  England  to  New  York  and  westward. 

Common  Speedwell 

V.    officinalis Color,    blue.     Flowers,    in    axillary,    opposite 

racemes,  very  small,  much  crowded,  with  short  pedicels.  Leaves, 
with  short  petioles,  opposite,  oblong,  serrate.  Plant,  softly  hairy. 
Stem,  weak,  prostrate,  creeping.     May  to  August. 

Dry,  open  woods  and  hills,  New  England  southward  and 
westward. 

Thyme-leaved  Speedwell 

V,  serpyllifolia. — Color,  whitish  or  light  blue,  with  dark  blue 
lines.  Flowers,  in  loose  racemes,  with  pedicels.  Leaves,  the  lower 
petioled,  roundish,  passing  gradually  into  narrow  bracts  near 
the  flowers.  Small,  often  dooryard  weeds,  growing  flat  and  mat- 
like upon  the  ground,  with  the  opposite  flowering  branches  3  or 
4  inches  long.     Stem,  creeping,  smooth.      May  to  July. 

Lawns  and  grassy  places  in  all  our  Eastern  States. 

Chaff-seed 

Schvualbea  americana — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  dull,  yellowish 
purple.  Calyx,  tubular,  5-toothed,  with  a  pair  of  bracts  at  its 
base.  Corolla,  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  entire,  the  lower  3-lobed, 
2-plaited.  Flowers,  large,  irregular,  nearly  or  quite  sessile,  form- 
ing a  terminal,  loose  spike.  Stem,  straight,  slender,  1  to  2  feet 
high  with  few  branches,  glandular,  and  softly  hairy.  Leaves,  en- 
tire, oblong  to  ovate,  pointed  at  both  ends,  sessile,  passing  into 
linear  bracts  above.     May  to  July. 

In  wet,  sandy  soil,  near  the  coast,  from  Massachusetts  to 
Louisiana. 

Purple  Bladderwort 

Viricularia  purpurea. — Family,  Figwort.  Color,  violet  purple. 
Flower,  of  the  Figwort  type,  2-lipped,  the  lower  lip  3-lobed.  Of 
these  the  two  side  lobes  are  swollen  and  sac-like.  Flowers,  1  to  4 
on  a  leafless  scape  which  rises  out  of  shallow  water  from  1  to  6 
inches  high.  Branches  float  on  the  surface,  with  petioled  leaves 
cut  into  hair-like  divisions,  furnished  with  many  bladders.  May 
to  August. 

In  ponds  and  streams,  near  the  coast,  from  Maine  to  Florida. 

35o 


BLUE   AND   PURPLE   GROUP 

U.  resupinata. — Color,  purple.  This  is  a  species  with  showy 
flowers,  single,  borne  upon  the  summit  of  a  scape  from  a  to  7 
inches  long.  The  plant  roots  in  the  mud  and  sends  up  a  scape 
springing  from  shoots  1  or  2  inches  above  the  soil.  Leaves  and 
bladders  small.      August. 

In  borders  of  ponds  and  sandy  bogs,  Maine  to  Florida. 
Rare. 

Beech-drops.     Cancer-root 

Epifagus  <virginiana.. —  Family,  Broom  -  rape.  Color  of  both 
flowers  and  stem,  a  purplish  or  brownish  tint  hard  to  describe. 
No  green  in  the  plant  shows  it  to  be  a  parasite.  This  one  is  para- 
sitic on  beech  tree  roots.  No  leaves,  but  brownish  scales  scat- 
tered on  the  stem.  Flowers,  in  a  spike  terminating  the  branches, 
the  upper  ones  sterile,  with  a  4-toothed,  tubular  corolla;  the  lower 
deistogamous,  fertile,  the  corolla  not  expanding,  but  remaining 
like  a  hood  on  the  tip  of  the  ovary.  Calyx,  5-toothed.  August 
to  October. 

New  England  to  Florida,  westward  to  Micnigan  and  Louisi- 
ana. I  have  found  this  singular  plant  in  chestnut  woods, 
where  apparently  no  beeches  grew. 

One-flowered  Cancer-root 

Orobanche  uniflbra. —  Family,  Broom  -  rape.  Color,  purplish. 
Calyx,  tubular,  sharply  5-toothed.  Corolla,  a  curved  tube  pass- 
ing into  a  5-lobed  limb  or  border.  Stem,  short,  1  inch  long,  un- 
derground, with  a  few  scales  instead  of  leaves.  Floiccr-scapcs,  3 
to  8  inches  high,  1  to  4  arising  from  the  root,  leafless,  with  a  single 
flower  at  the  tip.     No  leaves.      April  to  July. 

Whole  plant  a  brownish  purple,  parasitic  on  the  roots  of 
various  herbs,  in  damp  woods  and  thickets.  Common. 
Looking  into  the  flower  one  sees  2  folds  bearded  with 
yellow,  not  without  some  pretensions  to  prettiness. 

Hairy  Bedstraw 
Galium  pilbsum. —  Family,  Madder.  Color,  purplish.  Calyx, 
tubular.  Corolla,  with  a  short  tube  and  spreading  border  of  4 
divisions.  Stamens,  4.  Flowers,  in  cymes,  the  peduncles  twice 
or  thrice-forked.  Leaves,  in  whorls  of  fours,  ovate,  acute,  dotted, 
with  stem  quite  hairy.     Fruit,  bur-like.     June  to  August. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward  to 
Texas. 

Bluets.     Innocence 
Hoastbnia.    caerulea.  —  Family,    Madder.     Color,   bluish    white. 
(See  White  Flowers,  p.  129.) 

23  35i 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Feverwort.     Horse  Gentian.     "Wild  Coffee 

Triosteum  perfoliatum.—  Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  brown- 
ish purple.  Fruit,  orange  -  red.  Calyx  -  lobes,  5,  long,  narrow. 
Corolla,  tubular,  with  5  unequal  lobes.  Stamens,  5,  joined  to  the 
corolla  -  tube.  Leaves,  opposite,  downy  beneath,  entire,  broad, 
narrowed  below  to  a  broad  base,  which  clasps  the  stem  and  almost 
unites  with  the  opposite  leaf,  hence  the  specific  name.  Flowers, 
single  or  in  clusters,  sessile  in  the  axils.  Stem,  straight,  stout, 
2  to  4  feet  high,  finely  hairy.      May  to  July. 

The  orange-colored  fruit  of  this  plant  is  a  drupe,  composed 
of  2  or  3  nutlets,  surrounded  by  fleshy  cells  within  the  outer 
hard  shell. 

Venus's  Looking-glass 

Speculkria  perfoliate — Family,  Bluebell.  Color,  blue  or  violet. 
Calyx,  3  to  5-lobed.  Corolla,  tubular,  with  5-lobed  border,  wheel- 
shaped.  Flowers,  single,  or  in  twos  and  threes  in  the  upper  leaf- 
axils.  Stem,  3  to  20  inches  high,  simple,  weak,  with  milky  juice. 
Fruit,  a  3-sided  capsule.  Leaves,  round,  with  heart-shaped  base 
clasping  the  stem  and  surrounding  it,  sessile,  often  crenate. 
Within  these  shell-like  leaves  the  lower  flowers,  2  or  3  together, 
small,  cleistogamous,  are  pollinated  in  the  bud  and  never  expand. 
The  upper  and  later  ones  expand  into  a  wheel-shaped  flower. 
May  to  September. 

Sterile,  open  ground  or  dry  woods,  Maine  to  Florida  and 
Mexico. 

Harebell.     Bluebell 

Camp  inula,    rotundi folia. Family,    Bluebell.      Color,    blue,    or 

sometimes  with  a  purplish  tint.  Calyx,  5-cleft.  Corolla,  bell- 
shaped,  5-lobed,  nearly  an  inch  long.  Stamens,  5.  Stigmas,  3. 
Fruit,  a  capsule,  3 -celled,  nodding.  Leaves,  the  earlier  ones  from 
the  root,  roundish,  heart  -  shape  or  ovate,  dying  soon.  Later 
ones  on  the  stem,  narrow,  lance  -  shape,  numerous.  Name  most 
inappropriate,  since  the  round  leaves  are  seldom  seen.  Varied 
in  height  and  foliage.  A  perennial,  with  slender  rootstocks,  simple 
or  branched  stems,  6  inches  to  3  feet  high.     June  to  September. 

One  of  our  loveliest  blue  flowers,  which,  in  its  favorite 
haunts  of  rocky  woods  or  wet  meadows,  it  is  a  real  pleasure 
to  come  across.  It  may  also  hang  its  dainty  bells  from  a 
lakeside,  nestling  under  tall  ferns  and  grass.  It  may  be 
found  in  the  rock  fissures  which  attend  the  Hudson  River, 
and  in  all  the  country,  including  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
Sierras.     This  seems  to  be  the  bluebell  of  Scotland. 

352 


Bluebell -Harebell 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

Bellflower 
C.  ranunculoides. — Color,  purple.      Leaves,  bract-like  above,  the 
lower    with    long    petioles,    heart  -  shape.     Flowers,    nodding,    in 
racemes  or    single    in  the  axils  of  the  upper  bracts,   pedioelled. 

July  and  August. 

A  rather  stiff  plant,  escaped  from  cultivation  in  country 
gardens,  now  found  along  roadsides  and  in  thickets.  At  the 
base  of  the  capsule,  small  pores  are  found  through  which  the 
seeds  are  set  free. 

Marsh  Bellflower 

C.  aparinoides — Color,  pale  blue  or  white.  Corolla,  twice  the 
length  of  the  calyx,  but  small,  less  than  \  inch  long.  Stamens,  5. 
Leaves,  long,  narrow,  small,  rough  along  the  edges  and  midrib. 
June  to  August. 

The  little  bells  of  this  plant  must  be  sought  for.  Look 
among  the  leaves  around  a  mossy,  wet  stump,  and  you  may 
find  a  weak,  triangular  stem  about  20  inches  long,  witli 
flowers  here  and  there  on  slender  pedicels.  By  means  of 
tiny  hooks  along  the  angles  of  the  stem  the  plant  is  able  to 
raise  itself  and  keep  from  being  utterly  smothered  by  the 
stronger  growths  around  it.  Maine  to  Nebraska,  south  to 
Georgia  and  Kentucky. 

Great  Lobelia 

Lobelia  siphilitica — Family,  Lobelia.  Color,  light  blue.  Calyx- 
tube,  short,  5-cleft.  Corolla,  bell  -  shape,  longer  than  the  calyx- 
tube,  but  split  down  on  the  upper  side,  slightly  2-lipped;  upper 
lip  2,  lower  3-lobed,  1  inch  long,  showy.  Leaves,  thin,  numerous, 
ovate  or  lance -shape,  irregularly  serrate.  Flowers,  pedioelled, 
in  a  dense  raceme,  with  leafy  bracts.     July  to  October. 

The  blue  of  this  lobelia  is  rather  pale,  fading  sometimes 

to  nearly  white.  It  is  a  hairy,  tall-stemmed  plant,  3  feet 
high,  with  a  long,  leafy  panicle  of  showy  (lowers.  A  near 
relative  of  the  cardinal-flower.  As  the  pistil  matures  after 
the  anthers  have  discharged  their  pollen,  this  is  a  flower 
specially  prepared  for  cross-pollination. 

In  low,  damp  grounds,  Maine  to  Minnesota,  south  to 
Georgia,  Louisiana,  and  Kansas.      (See  illustration,  p.  354.) 

Indian  Tobacco 
L.   inflkta. — Color,  purplish  blue.      Flower  much  like   the  last, 
but  smaller.     Calyx,   roundish,    with   long,   awl-shaped   divisions 

353 


great  lobelia    (Lobelia  siphilitica) 
(See  page  353) 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

remaining  attached  to  the  ovary,  making  a  much  inflated  capsule 
in  fruit.     Flowers,   in  loose  racemes,  all   with   leafy   bi 
upper  very  narrow.      Leaves,  thin,  sessile.  <>v;tte  t<>  <>l>].>ng,  with 
short  petioles.     Plant,    10   to   36   inches   in    height,    hairy,    much 
branched,  with  an  acrid  juice.     July  to  November. 

A  poisonous  plant,  formerly  used  in  the  Thomsonian  school 
of  medicine   as   an   emetic.      Dry   soil,    fields   and   thick 
Common. 

Spiked  Lobelia 

L.  spickta.  —  Color,   light   blue.      Flowers,   small,   in   long,   thin 
spikes.    Stem,  leafy,  unbranched,  1  to  4  feet  high,  slender.     /.. 
at  the  root,  broad,  obovate  or  tapering  to  short  petioles;    those 
above  reduced  to  small  bracts.     June  to  August. 

Damp,  gravelly,  or  dry  soil,  in  meadows.  A  smaller  form 
is  found  in  swamps.  Over  all  the  Eastern  States.  Found 
2,500  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

Water  Lobelia 
L.  Dortmdnna. — Color,  purplish  blue.  Leaves,  fleshy,  all  clus- 
tered at  the  root,  submerged,  hollow,  obtuse,  with  a  partition 
through  the  middle.  Roots,  white,  fibrous.  Flowers,  in  a  loose, 
terminal  raceme,  few,  with  pedicels.  Scape,  thickish,  6  (o  18 
inches  high.     July  to  September. 

An  aquatic,  in  ponds,  near  the  borders,  often  wholly  im- 
mersed.     New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  northward. 

L.  CJinbyi. — Color,  deep  blue.  Flowers,  on  pedicels,  in  loose 
racemes,  with  linear  bracts.  Leaves,  linear,  very  narrow  above. 
Stem,  erect,  branched,  2  to  3  feet  high.  Corolla,  bearded  in  the 
tube.     Calyx,   with   long,   thread-like   teeth. 

Swamps  and  wet  grounds,  New  Jersey  to  North  Carolina. 
Ironweed 

VerndnU    n&veboracensis Family.   Composite.      ("<'/<>r,   a   rich 

purple.  Corollas,  all  tubular.  Fhnvcrs,  in  dense,  thistle-like 
heads,  growing  in  irregular  cymes.  Involucre,  composed  of  pur- 
plish scales.  4  to  8  feet  high.  Leaves,  long,  narrow,  alternate, 
acute,  rough,  slightly  toothed,  3  to  10  inches  long.  Heads.  20  t<> 
40-flowered,  all  peduncled.      July   t<>   September. 

In  low  meadows,  moist  soil,  Maine  t<»  Virginia  and  west- 
ward, near  the  coast.     A  tall,  showy,  common  plant,  vying 

with  Joe   Pyewecd  in  making  the  meadows  bright  with  rich. 

355 


ironweed   (Vemonia  noveboracensis) 
(See  page  35s) 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

autumnal  color.     Other  species   arc   found  in  the   prairies 

west  and  south  of  New  York.     (See  illustration,  p.  356.) 

Blazing  Star.     Button  Snakeroot 

Liatris  spickta — Family,  Composite.     Color,  rose  purple. 

ollas,  tubular,  no  rays.  Heads  of  floicers,  large,  crowded  «»n  the 
upper  part  of  the  very  leafy  stems.  Leaves,  linear,  rigid,  upright, 
the  lower  3  to  5-nerved.     August  to  October. 

A  rough,  bristling  plant,  2  to  5  feet  high,  found  along  road- 
sides, in  moist  ground,  from  Massachusetts  to  Minnesota  and 
southward.  Very  handsome,  regular  flowers  of  striking 
color.      (See  illustration,  p.  358.) 

Large  Button  Snakeroot 

L.  scaribsa — Color,  purple.  This  differs  from  the  last  but  little, 
being  of  a  variable  type.  Leaves,  stiff,  narrow,  the  lowest  slight- 
ly broader,  petioled,  the  upper  growing  smaller  until  braet-like. 
Flowers,  in  round  heads,  under  which  the  bristling  scales  of  the 
involucre  are  very  prominent,  their  tips  sometimes  purplish.  2 
to  5  feet  high,  with  same  range  as  the  preceding.     Late  summer. 

Dry,  sandy  soil,  Maine  to  Nebraska  and  southward. 
Purple  and  Blue  Asters 

These  can  be  distinguished  from  each  other  mainly  by 
their  leaves,  stems,  and  places  of  growth.  They  appear  in 
late  summer  and  bloom  into  September  or  October. 

Showy  Aster 

Aster  sped abilis Family,   Composite.     Color,   bright    purple. 

Disk,  small,  bright  yellow.  Leaves,  the  lower,  serrate,  broad  in 
the  middle,  pointed;  the  upper,  oblong  to  lance  -  shape,  generally 
entire;  all  tapering  into  margined  petioles.  Bracts  of  the  involucre 
tipped  with  purple,  recurved,  glandular,  sticky.  Flowers,  few  or 
single,  on  the  upper  branches.  Stem,  thick  and  rough.  August 
to  October. 

Near  the  coast,  sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  to  Delaware  and 
North  Carolina. 

Low,  Rough  Aster 

A.  radula. — Color,  pale   violet.     Leaves,  rough  above,  smooth 

beneath,  oblong  to  lance-shape,  sessile,  acute,  serrate,  distinctly 
pinnately  veined,  2  to  3  inches  long.     Stem,  simple  or  branched 

near  the  summit,  very  leafy,  with   flowers  in  corymbs,  generally 

3  57 


blazing  star  (Liatris  spicata) 

(See  page  357) 


BLUE    AND    PURPLE    GROUP 

slightly  hairy.     Bracts,  bell-shape,  fringed  at  the  tips.     July  to 
September. 

Swamps,  bogs,  and  low,  moist  woods.     Now  England  to 

Delaware  and  Pennsylvania. 

New  England  Aster 

A.  novae -angltae. — Color,  violet  purple,  often  pale.  Lea:  i 
to  5  inches  long,  thin,  entire,  clasping  the  stem  with  heart- 
shaped  bases.  Stem,  hairy,  stout,  much  branched  above,  thickly 
leaved,  2  to  8  feet  high,  with  large  heads  of  showy  flowers  clus- 
tered at  the  ends  of  stem  and  branches.  Rays,  long,  narrow. 
numerous,  often  drooping. 

Moist  ground,  in  fields  and  bordering  swamps,  from  Maine 
to  Quebec,  southward  to  South  Carolina,  Missouri,  and  Kan- 
sas. One  of  the  finest  of  our  asters,  cultivated  in  many 
gardens  for  the  beauty  of  its  brightly  colored  flowers. 

A.  concolor. — Showy,  dark  violet  rays  in  heads  which  make  a 
simple  or  compound,  straight,  narrow  raceme.  Leaves,  soft  and 
silky,  grayish  on  both  sides,  oblong,  1  inch  long,  crowded  and 
pressed  close  against  the  stem,  the  upper  ones  small  bracts.  Stem, 
2  or  3  feet  high,  wanddike,  unbranched  below  the  Mowers. 

Sandy  soil,  Massachusetts  southward,  near  the  coast. 

Late  Purple  Aster 

A*  patens*  —  Color,  deep  blue  purple.  Leaves,  rough  -  hairy, 
oblongdanceolate  or  ovate,  with  deeply  heart -shape- 1  bases,  clasp- 
ing and  almost  surrounding  the  stem,  pointed,  entire,  small,  the 
longest  1  to  3  inches;  leaves  on  the  branchlets  reduced  to  scales. 
Flowers,  single,  terminating  upper  branches.  Dish,  small,  yellow- 
ish green.  Rays,  long,  wit 
high.      August  to  October. 

One  of  our  prettiest  blue  asters,  growing  in  dry  ground, 
along  roadsides  and  in  open  places.  Massachusetts  to  Flor- 
ida and  westward. 

Wavy-leaf  Aster 

A.  undulktus. — Color  of  the  8  to  1 5  rays  surrounding  each  head 
of  flowers,  a  pale  blue.  Leaves,  wavy,  somewhat  toothed,  the 
lowest  2  to  5  inches  long,  on  margined  petioles  with  heart-shaped 
bases;  those  higher  up,  petioled,  the  petioles  much  swollen  and 
clasping  the  stem;  the  upper  sessile,  clasping;  those  on  branches, 
very  small.      Stem,  stiff,  stout,   1  to  3  feet  high,  branched  near  the 

359 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

top.     Flowers,  medium-sized,  panicled  or  racemose  on  the  spread- 
ing branches.     September  to  November. 

Common  East  and  South  in  dry  woods,  copses,  and  fields. 

Heart-leaved  Aster.     Common  Blue  Wood  Aster 

A.  cordif otitis . — Color,  pale  blue;  the  disk  sometimes  reddish 
or  purplish.  Leaves,  thin,  petioled,  strongly  heart-shaped  at 
base,  2  to  5  inches  long,  sparsely  hairy  on  the  surface  and  along 
the  veins,  the  lower  petioles  fringed  with  short  hairs.  Bracts  of 
the  involucre  tipped  with  green  points.  Stem,  smooth,  much 
branched,  so  as  to  seem  bushy,  i  to  5  feet  high.  Flowers,  small, 
crowded  in  panicles.     August  to  October. 

Woods  and  thickets  in  all  the  Eastern  States.  There  are 
many  varieties  of  this  aster,  depending  upon  slight  differ- 
ences in  stem  and  leaves. 

Smooth  Aster 

A.  la.e<vis. — Color,  blue  violet.  Leaves,  oblong,  tapering,  rough- 
margined,  those  below  on  winged  petioles,  those  above  sessile, 
with  heart-shaped  bases,  strongly  clasping  the  stem;  those  on  the 
flowering  branches  narrowed  to  bracts.  Heads  of  flowers,  crowded 
in  a  close  panicle.  Stem,  stout,  smooth,  2  to  4  feet  high.  August 
to  October. 

Dry  soil,  Maine  to  Michigan  and  southward.  One  of  our  most 
beautifully  colored  asters,  found  in  woods  or  along  roadsides. 

Bushy  Aster 

A.  dumbsus. — Color  of  rays,  pale  purple  or  blue.  Leaves,  long, 
narrow,  entire,  acute,  with  rough  margins;  the  upper,  small, 
crowded,  sessile,  often  turned  back.  Heads,  small,  panicled,  often 
a  single  one  at  the  end  of  the  branch.     August  to  October. 

Common  in  sandy  soil,  along  paths  and  roadsides,  in  fields, 
varying  in  color  to  a  very  pale  violet  or  white.  From  Maine 
to  Michigan  and  southward.  A  pretty,  cheerful  little  aster, 
often  covered  with  dust  along  the  highways,  but  bravely 
putting  out  its  blue  flowers.      (See  illustration,  p.  361.) 

A.   Uteriflbrus Color,  white    or    light    purple.      (See    White 

Flowers,   p.    136.) 

A.   paniculktus Color,    white    or    pale    violet.      (See    White 

Flowers,  p.  136.) 

Rush  Aster 
A.  junceus. — Color,   pale   violet,   sometimes   reddish   or   white. 
Leaves,  linear,  very  narrow,  and  3  to  6  inches  long,  entire  or  a 

360 


BUSHY    ASTER     (Astet    (JuiHOSUS) 
(Sec  paye  3'>o) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

few  teeth  on  the  lower,  rough  along  margins,  sessile,  often  heart- 
shaped  at  base  and  clasping  the  stem,  i -nerved.  Stem,  slender, 
simple,  or  with  a  few  branches,  i  to  3  feet  high.  Heads  of  flowers, 
of  medium  size,  in  panicles,  terminating  the  upper  branches. 
June  to  September. 

A  graceful  aster,  found  in  wet  soil,  as  swamps  and  bogs, 
from  New  Jersey  and  Ohio  northward.     One  of  our  earliest. 

New  York  Aster 

A.  nd-vi-belgii. — Color,  bright  to  pale  violet  blue.  Leaves,  lance- 
shaped,  acute,  entire,  or  some  finely  and  distinctly  toothed,  firm, 
narrowed  at  base,  the  upper  sessile  and  clasping,  the  lower 
petioled,  2  to  5  inches  long.  Stem,  slender,  leafy,  branched,  1  to 
3  feet  high.  Heads  of  flowers,  numerous,  in  flattish  panicles. 
Rays  many.     Disk  bright  yellow.     August  to  October. 

Swamps  near  the  coast,  Maine  to  Georgia.  One  of  our 
commonest  asters,  late-flowering.  There  are  many  varieties 
of  this  aster.  One,  A.  litdreus,  is  low,  stiff,  almost  prickly, 
with  shorter  and  broader  leaves,  found  only  near  the  coast. 

Salt  Marsh  Aster 

A.  tenuifblius. — Color,  pale  purple,  nearly  white,  heaves,  nar- 
rowly linear,  somewhat  fleshy,  entire,  pointed,  sessile,  almost 
clasping  the  stem,  the  lowest  2  to  6  inches  long.  Stem,  forked 
above,  zigzag  when  old  and  dry,  loosely  branched,  1  to  2  feet 
high.  Heads  of  flowers,  large,  on  the  tips  of  upper  branches. 
Rays,  long,  numerous,  drooping.     August  to  October. 

This  crooked-stemmed  aster  is  common  in  salt  marshes, 
low  growing,  with  showy  flowers.  Massachusetts  to  Florida, 
near  the  coast. 

A.  subulktus.  —  Color,  purplish.  Rays,  in  2  rows,  short,  not 
longer  than  the  disk.  Flowers,  small,  bell  ~  shape,  in  panicles. 
Leaves,  long  and  very  narrow,  flat,  entire,  with  square,  sessile 
bases;  those  on  the  branches  small,  awl-shaped.  Stem,  rather 
thick,  1  to  6  feet  high.     August  to  November. 

Common  in  salt  marshes  from  New  Hampshire  to  Florida. 
(See  illustration,  p.  363.) 

Bog  Aster 

A.  nemorklis. — Color,  light  violet  purple,  often  with  a  tinge  of 
pink.  Rays,  long,  and  flower  from  1  to  4  inches  broad,  the 
heads  solitary  or  a  few  in  flat  clusters.  Leaves,  small,  lance- 
shape,   generally  toothed,   sessile,   with    margins    turned  back. 

362 


aster  {Aster  subulatus) 

(See  page  jOi) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Stew,  roughish,  simple,  or  branched  near  the  top,  very  leafy,  6 
to  24  inches  high.     July  to  September. 

Bogs  near  the  coast,  from  New  York  and  New  Jersey  north- 
ward. 

Purple-stem  Aster- 

A.  puniceus.  —  Color  of  long  rays,  lilac  blue  to  paler,  almost 
white.  Heads,  1  to  if  inches  broad,  showy,  with  short  pedicels, 
numerous,  in  panicles  or  corymbs.  Leaves,  broad  in  the  middle, 
lance-shape,  pointed,  with  eared  bases,  clasping  the  stem,  rough 
above  and  on  the  midrib  beneath,  coarsely  toothed,  3  to  6  inches 
long.  Stem,  tall  and  stout,  rough-hairy,  with  red  or  purple  stripes 
upon  it,  3  to  8  feet  high.     July  to  November. 

A  common,  handsome  species,  recognized  by  its  reddish 
stem.  It  abounds  in  low  thickets  and  swamps,  where  it  holds 
its  own  with  tall  shrubs,  and  spreads  its  rich  panicle  of  blos- 
soms, coloring  the  autumn  landscape.  New  England  to  Michi- 
gan, Ohio,  and  North  Carolina.      (See  illustration,  p.  365.) 

Slender  or  Tuber  Aster 

A,  gracilis. — Color  of  the  9  to  15  rays,  violet.  Stem,  slender, 
low,  1  to  1 1  feet  high,  slightly  rough,  branched  above,  bearing 
numerous  heads  of  flowers.  Leaves,  small,  roughish,  those  below 
oval,  pointed,  with  long,  slender  petioles;  those  above,  linear, 
small,  sessile,  slightly  clasping.     July  to  September. 

In  dry,  sandy  soil,  as  the  pine  barrens  of  New  Jersey,  south 
to  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 

Crooked-stem  Aster 

A.  prenanthoides.  —  Color,  violet.  Rays,  20  to  30,  narrow, 
drooping,  the  heads  about  1  inch  broad,  with  small  disk.  Leaves, 
smooth  underneath,  rough  above,  ovate  to  lance-shape,  broad 
and  toothed  in  the  middle,  narrowed  near  the  base,  then  sud- 
denly spreading  into  an  eared  base  which  clasps  the  stem,  3  to  6 
inches  long.  Stem,  hairy  in  lines,  crooked,  branched  above,  1 
to  2  feet  high.     August  to  October. 

Wet  soil,  woods  and  borders  of  streams,  New  England  to 
Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  westward. 

Fleabane.     Robin's  Plantain 

Erigeron  pulcheUas. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  light  purple. 
Heads  of  flowers,  with  1  or  2  rows  of  long  narrow  rays,  all  of 
which  are  pistillate,  on  slender  peduncles.  Leaves,  those  on  stem 
sessile,  scattered,  pointed,  rough  on  margins,  entire,  partly  clasp- 
ing,  oblong  to  lance -shape;    those  at  the  root,  tufted,  rough, 

364 


;        I 


^&& 


---%U'J0J 


7  i-<-&r. 


Q '    i;  \4xs^ 


PURPLE-STEM    ASTER    (Aster    punkciis) 
(See  page  364) 


HARPERS   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

obtuse  at  apex,  on  short,  margined  petioles,  i  to  3  inches  long. 
Perennials  by  means  of  offshoots  or  runners  sent  up  from  the 
root.     Stent,  slender,  simple,  1  to  2  feet  high.     April  to  June. 

On  hills,  in  orchards,  pastures,  dry  fields;  rather  local,  but 
found  from  Maine  to  Minnesota  and  southward.  A  pretty- 
name  for  this  daisy-like  composite  is  blue  spring  daisy,  only 
it  is  not  blue,  but  distinctly  violet  in  color. 

Burdock.     Clotbur 

Arctium  Lappa..  — -  Family,  Composite.  Color,  purplish  crim- 
son. Leaves,  on  furrowed  petioles,  thin,  broadly  ovate,  whitish 
beneath,  somewhat  heart  -  shape  at  base,  pointed  at  apex,  the 
lower  sometimes  18  inches  long.  Heads  of  flowers,  clustered  or 
single,  bristly  from  the  bracts  of  the  involucre,  which  are  long, 
stiff,  with  little  hooks  at  their  tips,  making  a  bur.     Summer. 

Large,  coarse,  biennial  herbs,  of  the  nature  of  weeds, 
branching,  4  to  9  feet  high.     In  waste  places. 

The  writer  recalls,  in  connection  with  this  plant,  an  anxious 
day  when  her  small  children  were  missing.  After  a  prolonged 
search  they  were  found  seated  under  a  large  burdock  plant, 
some  distance  from  home,  on  a  road  leading  into  the  woods, 
making  baskets  and  bird's  nests  by  sticking  together  the 
burdock  flowers. 

Musk  Thistle 

Carduus  nutans.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  purple.  Much 
like  Cirsium,  but  with  leaves  running  down  the  stem,  and  with 
the  winged  stem  spiny.  Large  heads,  solitary,  of  the  richly 
colored  flowers  which  when  old  droop.  Leaves,  3  to  6  inches 
long,  lanceolate  in  shape,  deeply  pinnately  cut,  sharply  pointed 
at  apex,  the  lobes  very  spiny.     June  to  October. 

In  pastures,  waste  places,  and  on  ballast  near  seaports, 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  northward. 

Common  or  Bull  Thistle.     Plumed  Thistle 

Cirsium  tanceolatum.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  purple  or 
crimson.  Leaves,  deeply  cut,  prickly,  woolly,  alternate,  sessile 
and  running  down  on  the  stem.  Flowers,  in  a  round,  close  head, 
large,  surrounded  by  a  prickly  involucre.     July  to  November. 

This  is  the  common  thistle,  one  of  Europe's  undesirable 
exportations  to  our  shores,  the  despair  of  every  farmer  once 
it  has  made  its  appearance  in  his  pastures. 

366 


Musk  Thistle      (Cantu 


BLUE   AND    PURPLE   GROUP 

Canada  Thistle 
C.  arvense. — Color,  rose  purple.     A  perennial  from  a  creeping 
rootstock  which  spreads  the  faster  from  being  cut.     Leaves t  lance- 
shape   or   oblong,  much    cut,  prickly  along  the  margins,  sessile, 
but  not  running  down  on  the  stem. 

In  fields  and  cultivated  ground,  so  troublesome  a  weed  it 
can  only  be  eradicated  by  frequent,  deep  plowing. 

Pasture  or  Bull  Thistle 

C.  pumilum. — Color,  purple.  Heads  of  flowers,  very  large,  2  to 
3  inches  broad,  with  leafy  bracts  below  them.  Leaves,  green 
both  sides,  cut  into  acute,  prickly,  pointed  lobes,  the  upper  sessile, 
clasping;  the  lower,  petioled.  Stem,  stout,  low,  leafy,  1  to  3 
feet  high,  from  solid,  thick,  and  much-branching  roots.  Flowers, 
fragrant,  sometimes  white.     July  to  September. 

Dry  soil,  fields  and  pastures.  New  England  to  Delaware 
and  Pennsylvania. 

Tall  or  Roadside  Thistle 

C.  altissimum.  —  Color,  light  purple.  Leaves,  whitish  under- 
neath, rough-hairy  above,  oblong  or  lance-shape,  bristly  toothed, 
margined,  not  so  deeply  cut  as  some  of  the  species.  Heads  of 
flowers,  2  inches  across,  single  at  the  ends  of  branches.  Involucre- 
bracts  tipped  with  a  dark  glandular  spot.  Very  tall,  reaching  a 
limit  of  10  feet.     August  and  September. 

Rough,  leafy,  much-branched  biennials  or  perennials,  in 
fields  and  woods  from  Massachusetts  to  Minnesota  and 
southward. 

Since  thistles  are  protected  from  grazing  cattle  by  their 
spiny  nature,  and  since  by  their  plumed  seeds  they  are  easily 
and  widely  disseminated,  they  are  among  the  most  formi- 
dable of  weeds,  almost  impossible  to  eradicate  when  well 
established.     Many  old  fields  are  a  mass  of  thistles. 

Swamp  Thistle 
C.  muticam. — Color,  dark  purple.  Leaves,  very  deeply  cut  and 
the  divisions  very  prickly.  Flower-heads,  large,  on  leafless  pe- 
duncles, with  a  few  bracts  near  the  base,  terminal.  Stem,  tall, 
3  to  8  feet  high,  angled,  woolly  when  young,  smoother  with  age. 
Involucre,  not  prickly.     July  to  October. 

Common  in  swamps  and  wet  woods,  New  England  to 
Florida  and  westward. 

24  367 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Cotton  or  Scotch  Thistle 

Onopordum  Acanthium.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  purple. 
Heads,  large,  i  to  2  inches  broad,  terminal,  with  a  peculiarly 
prickly  and  spiny  involucre,  the  outer  bracts  of  which  are  longer 
than  the  inner.  Leaves,  very  prickly,  running  down  on  the  stem, 
making  it  winged,  deeply  cut  and  lobed,  those  at  base  sometimes 
12  inches  long.  Stem,  coarse,  cottony,  or  woolly,  3  to  9  feet 
high.     July  to  September. 

Rare  and  local,  because,  although  introduced  into  our 
country,  it  has  not  yet  had  time  to  become  common.  Road- 
sides and  waste  places,  New  Jersey  to  Michigan  and  northward. 

Spanish  Buttons.     Star  Thistle.     Knapweed 

Centaurea  nigra.  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  rose  purple. 
Flowers,  all  tubular,  with  a  roundish  involucre  whose  bracts  are 
tipped  with  a  brown  fringe,  or  some  of  them  merely  lacerated. 
Leaves,  not  pinnately  cut,  the  lower  on  long  petioles,  the  upper 
sessile  or  clasping,  lance  -  shape,  all  woolly  and  hairy;  those 
under  the  heads  of  flowers  small.  Stem,  1  to  2  feet  high,  rough- 
woolly,  stiff,  much  branched.     July  to  September. 

Fields,  waste  places,  and  roadsides,  New  Jersey  northward. 
Brown  or  Rayed  Knapweed 

C.  Jacea.  —  Color,  rose  purple.  Heads  of  flowers,  large  and 
showy.  Bracts  of  the  involucre  brown,  their  edges  fringed  or 
torn.  Leaves,  lance  -  shape,  entire,  seldom  lobed,  slightly 
toothed,  not  spiny.     June  to  September. 

This  species  may  be  known  by  the  marginal  flowers  of  the 
head  being  larger  than  the  central,  without  stamens  and 
pistils.  In  waste  grounds,  as  fields,  also  in  ballast  near  our 
Eastern  seaports,  New  York  and  New  Jersey  and  parts  of 
New  England. 

Bluebottle.     Bachelor's  Button.     Corn-flower 

C.  Cyanus.  —  Color,  blue  or  purplish.  A  slender  -  stemmed 
species  with  single  flowers  terminating  the  branches.  Marginal 
flowers  of  the  head  without  stamens  and  pistils,  the  limb  of  the 
tubular  corolla  5-cleft,  appearing  like  rays,  1  to  i|  inches  broad. 
Involucre,  of  4  series  of  bracts,  fringed  at  the  top.  Leaves,  long, 
narrow,  pointed,  the  lowest  pinnately  cut  or  toothed,  the  upper 
entire.  Stem  and  leaves  somewhat  woolly,  especially  when 
young.      1  to  2 \  feet  high.     July  to  September. 

An  annual,  escaped  from  gardens  where,  formerly,  it  was  a 
favorite  flower. 

368 


Bachelor's  Button. 
Corn-f  lower. 


BLUE    AND   PURPLE   CROUP 

Succory.     Chicory.     Blue   Sailors 
Cichbrium  intybus. —  Family,   Composite.     Color,  bright  blue, 
sometimes  purple  or  pink.     Leaves,  those  on  stem  oblong  or  linear, 
partly  clasping,   small;    these   from   rool   lying  on   the  ground, 
broader  at  apex,  narrowed  into  long  petioles.     Stem,  from  a 


SUCCORY,      chicory.      i(  ' it  horiiun   Intybus) 


tap-root,  covered  with  bristly  hairs,  rigid,  branching,  i  to  3  feet 
high.  Perennials.  1  to  3  heads  of  flowers  on  the  ends  of  branches 
or  in  the  axils  of  small  leaves. 

A  showy  plant,  but  often  ragged  and  covered  with  dust. 
Rays  or  "straps"  of  the  flowers  conspicuously  toothed. 
Common  in  waste  places,  empty  lots,  and  roadsides,  around 

369 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

New  York  and  Brooklyn,  and  from  New  England  to  Iowa. 
The  root,  ground,  is  used  as  an  adulteration  for  coffee. 

Blue  Lettuce 

Lactuca  <villbsa,  —  Family,  Composite.  Color,  blue.  Leaves, 
various;  those  from  the  root  arrow  -  shape  or  lobed  at  base; 
those  on  stem  contracted  into  a  winged  petiole,  all  lance-shape 
or  ovate,  dentate  with  sharp  teeth,  4  to  6  inches  long.  Heads 
of  flowers  on  scaly  peduncles.  Stem,  3  to  6  feet  high,  leafy, 
terminated  with  a  loose  panicle  of  numerous  flowers. 

Plants  of  this  genus  have  milky  juice;  hence  the  name 
"lettuce,"  from  lac,  meaning  milk.  All  are  tall  and  leafy, 
with  cream-colored  or  purplish  flowers,  not  unlike  the  genus 
Prenanthes. 

Lion's-foot.     Gall-of-the-earth 

Prenanthes  serpentaria. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  white  or 
purplish.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.  146.) 


CHAPTER    VIII 

VARIEGATED    FLOWERS 

Indian  Turnip.     Dragon  Arum 
Arisaema    triphyllum.  —  Family,   Arum.      Color    of    spathe    and 
sheaths,  green,  or  sometimes  dark    purple   or    green  variegated 
with    purple   stripes   or    whitish    stripes   or   spots.      (See     Green 
Flowers,  p.   20.) 

Larger  Blue   Flag 

Iris  versicolor Family,   Iris.     Colors,  violet    blue,  variegated 

with  green,  white  and  yellow.      (See  Blue  Flowers,  p.  300.) 

Slender  Blue  Flag 
7.  prismatica. — Color,  violet  blue,  streaked  with  yellow.  The 
slender  blue  flag  resembles  the  larger  species  in  its  flower  and 
leaves.  (See  Larger  Blue  Flag,  p.  300.)  The  whole  plant  is 
more  delicate.  Flowers,  on  slender,  long  pedicels,  appear  singly 
or  in  pairs.  The  outer,  recurved  perianth  segments  are  about  2 
inches  in  length.  The  2  or  3  leaves  are  linear,  like  blades  of 
grass.  Stem,  round,  1  to  3  feet  tall.  Rootstock  slender.  June  and 
July. 

Found  in  marshes,  near  the  coast,  from  Nova  Scotia  to 
Georgia. 

Showy  Lady's  Slipper 

Cypripedium    hirsutum.  —  Family,    ( )rehis.      Colors,    white    with 
crimson  markings.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.   50.) 

Ram's  Head  Lady's  Slipper 

C.  ariefinum. — Colors,  dark  purple,  crimson,  and  white.      (See 
Purple  Flowers,  p.  302.) 

Larger  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper 

C.  parviflbrum,   var.  pubescens.  —  Colors,  greenish   yellow,   pur- 
olden  yellow.      (See  Yellow  Flowers,  p.    100.) 
37i 


pie,  and  golden  yellow 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Calypso 

Calypso  bulbbsa, —  Family,  Orchis.  Colors,  pink,  yellow,  and 
purple.  Sepals  and  2  of  the  petals,  nearly  alike,  long  and  narrow, 
erect,  open,  of  a  crimson  shade,  striped  with  purple.  Lip,  swollen, 
whitish,  spotted  with  brownish  purple,  further  marked  inside  by 
3  rows  of  yellow,  stiff  hairs.  Column,  broad,  petal-like,  the  lid- 
like anther  drooping  from  its  summit.  Flower,  single,  terminat- 
ing a  low  scape,  3  to  6  inches  high,  arising  from  a  bulbous  corm. 
A  single  leaf  springs  near  the  base  of  the  scape,  from  the  corm, 
rather  long  -  petioled,  roundish  or  ovate,  thin,  many  -  nerved, 
pointed,  with  wavy  margins,  1  to  15  inches  long.  About  3  loose 
scales  upon  the  scape.     May  to  July. 

Deep,  moist  woods,  Maine  to  Michigan  and  California,  and 
in  the  Rocky  Mountains.  This  pretty,  bright-colored  orchis  is 
solitary  and  drooping.  The  bulbous  root  lies  snugly  in  a  bed 
of  moss.  Whoever  finds  this  small  nymph  does  not  need 
to  be  told  that  he  has  a  treasure.  (See  Pink  Flowers, 
P.  251.) 

Putty-root.    Adam-and-Eve 

Aplectrum  hyemkle. — Family,  Orchis.  Colors,  greenish,  yellow- 
ish brown,  white,  and  crimson.  Sepals,  narrow,  greenish  yellow, 
with  a  purple  tinge.  Petals,  yellowish,  purplish  above,  like  the 
sepals  in  form,  arching  over  the  column.  Lip,  white,  with  magenta 
spots,  open,  spreading,  shorter  than  the  petals.  Leaf,  1,  petioled, 
but  not  sheathing  at  the  base,  springing  from  the  bulbous  root 
at  the  side  of  the  scape,  large,  oval,  pointed,  4  to  6  inches  long. 
Flowers,  about  10,  in  loose  racemes,  each  upon  a  separate  pedicel 
and  with  a  narrow  bract  underneath.      May  and  June. 

The  singular,  united  corms  of  this  plant  give  it  its  marital 
name,  2,  sometimes  3  or  4,  being  joined  by  offshoots.  One 
new  bulb  is  formed  every  year,  but  retains  life  for  2  or  3 
years.  The  latest  corm  sends  up,  late  in  summer,  a  broad- 
plaited,  many-nerved  leaf,  which  usually  lasts  over  the  win- 
ter. The  next  season  the  flowers  come  up.  Rich,  moist 
woods,  extending  over  the  country  from  New  England  to 
California  southward  to  Missouri. 

Wild  Columbine 

Aquilegia  canadensis — Family,  Crowfoot.  Colors,  red  and  yel- 
low. (See  Pink  Flowers,  p.  258.)  Sepals,  5,  ovate,  colored  like 
the  petals.  Petals,  5,  red  lined  with  yellow;  in  shape  they  are 
long,  hollow  spurs,  ending  in  a  little  knob  below,  tipped  with  a 

372 


VARIEGATED    FLOWERS 

short  lip  above.  Stamens,  many,  long,  protruding.  Pistils,  5, 
making  as  many  long  pods  tipped  with  the  slender  styles.  Flowers, 
terminating  the  branches,  nodding  so  as  to  bring  the  Icnol 

the  spurs  above,  but  in  fruit  the  peduncles  are  reversed  so  that 
the  pods  stand  upright.  Flowers  1*  inches  long.  Leaves,  both 
from  the  root  and  on  stem,  compound,  divided  twice  or  thrice, 
the  segments  again  divided  into  threes.  Leaflets,  rounded  and 
lobed. 

One  would  scarcely  dare  to  deck  her  hat  with  red  and 
yellow,  but  good  taste  is  not  offended  when  Nature's  artist 
dips  the  brush  in  chrome  for  a  lining  to  the  columbine's  scarlet 
cornucopias. 

Its  delicate  foliage  and  bright  flower  make  this  a  favorite, 
whether  it  nods  in  greeting  from  its  favorite  clefts  in  rocks 
or  grows  humbly  at  our  feet. 

Insects  find  sweet  honey  at  the  end  of  the  tiny  horns,  and 
carry  pollen  from  one  flower  to  another. 

Heart's-ease.     Pansy 

Viola  tricolor.  — Family,  Violet.  Colors,  yellow,  purple,  and 
white.     (See  p.  322.) 

Canada  Violet 

V.  canadensis.  —  Colors,  yellow  or  nearly  white,  with  purple 
tints  and  stripes.  The  spurred  petal  is  yellow,  with  purple  veins; 
lateral  petals  bearded.  Flowers,  on  leafy  stems,  3  to  14  inches 
high.  Leaves,  ovate,  heart-shape  at  base,  pointed  at  apex,  ser- 
rate, downy  underneath  along  the  veins.  Stipules,  large,  acute. 
lance-shaped. 

One  of  the  tallest  of  the  violets,  and  beautifully  marked  in 
the  flower.  In  shady,  hilly  woods,  from  North  Carolina, 
Tennessee,  and  Nebraska  northward.  Also  in  the  Roekv 
Mountains. 

Pink-root.  Worm-grass.  Indian  Pink 
Spigelia  marilandica. — Family,  Logania.  Colors,  red  and  yel- 
low. Corolla,  tubular,  long,  funnel-shaped,  deeply  5-parted  at 
the  border.  Calyx,  5-toothed.  Stamens,  5,  joined  to  the  tube 
of  the  corolla.  Pistil,  protruding.  Flowers,  in  1 -sided  spikes, 
showy.  Leaves,  opposite,  with  stipules  united,  sessile,  acute, 
ovate,  2  to  4  inches  long,  pinnately  veined.  Stem,  smooth,  erect. 
branched  at  base  or  simple,  1  to  2  feet  high.     May  to  July. 

In  rich  woods,  New  Jersey  to  Ohio,  southward  and  west- 
ward. 

373 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Lousewort.     Wood    Betony 

Pedicularis  canadensis. — Family,  Figwort.  Colors,  yellow  and 
red  or  purplish.  Leaves,  the  larger  from  the  root,  on  long,  hairy 
petioles,  deeply  cut;  the  upper  near  the  flowers,  less  incised, 
much  smaller,  short-petioled.  Bracts  among  the  flowers.  Calyx, 
tubular,  entire,  except  for  a  slit  down  the  front.  Corolla,  2- 
lipped,  the  upper  lip  bent  and  curved  inward,  inclosing  4 
stamens;  the  lower  3-lobed,  the  side  lobes  large  and  spreading. 
Capsule,  sword-shaped,  slightly  beaked,  opening  by  a  slit  on  the 
upper  side.  Flowers,  in  thick,  short  spikes.  Those  which  are 
mostly  red  in  color  have  reddish  stems  and  leaves;  yellow 
clusters  have  pale  stems  and  leaves;  and  these  two  brunette 
and  blond  beauties  often  stand  side  by  side.  They  are  con- 
spicuous mainly  from  their  fern-like  foliage.  5  to  10  inches  high. 
May  to  July. 

There  are  100  species  of  Pedicularis,  most  of  them  growing 
in  the  arctic  regions  and  Rocky  Mountains. 

Our  species  love  light  shade,  taking  to  the  open  woods. 
They  are  early,  following  closely  upon  the  spring  flowers. 
Often  they  are  out  of  bloom  by  the  first  of  June.  This  is 
the  manner  of  the  plant's  growth :  When  the  flower-stems 
spring  up,  new  growths  form  beside  them,  making  tufts 
of  a  dozen  or  so  leaves.  These  remain  the  first  season  a 
rosette  at  the  root.  They  are  a  sort  of  spiral  branch  drawn 
in.  Next  spring  the  branch  shoots  up,  uncoils,  straightens, 
and  bears  the  flower. 

Painted  Trillium 

Trillium   undulatum Family,    Lily.     Colors,   white,   crimson, 

and  purple.      (See  White  Flowers,  p.   50.) 

Blackberry  Lily 

Belamcanda  chinensis,  —  Family,  Iris.  Colors,  orange  -  yellow 
and  crimson  or  purple.     (See  Yellow  Flowers,  p.  159.) 

Snapdragon 

Antirrhinum  ma/us. —  Family,  Figwort.  Colors,  white,  blue, 
purple,  or  variegated.     (See  p.  346.) 

Eyebright 
Euphrasia  Oakesiu — Family,  Figwort.     Colors,  white,  purplish, 
and  yellow.   (Seep.  127.) 

White  Milkweed 

Asclepias  <variegata.  —  Family,  Milkweed.  Colors  of  corolla, 
white,  with  purple  spots  near  the  center;    of  hoods,  purplish  or 

374 


VARIEGATED    FU  >WERS 

reddish.  Flowers,  in  i  to  4  close  umbels  on  peduncles,  terminat- 
ing the  stem,  or  rarely  in  the  upper  axils.  Leaves,  in  pairs,  or  the 
middle  ones  sometimes  whorled,  oval,  pointed  at  apex,  rounded  at 
base,  contracted  into  short  petioles.     Plant,  1  to  3  feet  high.    May 

and  June. 

In  dry  woods  and  thickets,  from  Long  Island  and  southern 
New  York  to  Illinois,  south  to  Florida,  Louisiana,  and  Arkansas. 

BROWN 

Cat-tail  Flag 

Typha  UtifolU Family,  Cat-tail.     Color,  brown.      Leaves,    all 

near  the  base  of  the  stem,  long,  narrow,  sheathing.     Summer. 

The  picturesque  brown  of  the  cat- tails  begins  to  show  itself 
in  August.  The  long,  round  stem  from  a  creeping  rootstock 
may  grow  to  5  or  6  feet  in  height.  The  dense,  cylindrical 
head  of  flowers  makes  a  spike;  staminate  flowers  above, 
pistillate  below.  No  sepals  or  petals.  The  pistils  are  sup- 
ported upon  long  stalks  which  arc  covered  with  knobbed,  fine 
bristles,  and  these  later  form  the  down  by  which  the  ripe 
seed  is  carried  by  the  wind.  Marshes  and  borders  of  ponds 
throughout  North  America. 

Narrow-leaved  Cat-tail 

T.  angustifblia. —  Color,  light  brown.  In  this  species  the 
staminate  and  pistillate  flowers  are  usually  separated  by  a  space 
of  2  or  3  inches.     Leaves,  quite  long  and  narrow. 

Not  so  common  as  the  preceding,  and  mostly  found  in 
shallow  water  near  the  coast. 


CHAPTER    IX 

VINES   AND    SHRUBS 

Our  native  vines  and  shrubs  may  be  easily  identified  from 
the  following  descriptions.  Some  perennial  herbs  are  in- 
cluded in  the  list,  plants  without  woody  stems,  which  there- 
fore die  down  every  year,  but  whose  roots  continue  to  live 
through  the  winter  and  send  up  new  stems  in  the  spring. 
These  often  have  the  appearance  of  true  shrubs.  An  herb 
dies  down,  stem  and  root,  to  the  ground  every  year,  and 
must  be  reproduced  from  seed.  A  shrub  has  woody  stems 
and  does  not  in  any  part  of  it  die  down  every  year. 

GREEN,    GREENISH,    OR    GREENISH    WHITE 

Green   Brier.     Cat  Brier.     Horse   Brier 

Smtlai  rotundifoUa.. — Family,  Smilax.  Color,  greenish.  Flow- 
ers, of  2  sorts,  the  staminate  bell-shaped,  with  a  6-divided  peri- 
anth and  6  stamens;  pistillate,  with  i  to  3  stigmas  and  a  3-celled 
ovary.  Fruit,  a  round,  black,  1  to  3 -seeded  berry.  Leaves, 
nearly  round,  sharply  pointed,  5-nerved,  thin  at  first,  becoming 
thick  and  shining,  alternate,  petioled.     April  to  June. 

The  stems  of  this  vicious  vine  are  square,  4-angled,  covered 
with  stout  prickles  which  turn  backward.  Occasionally  the 
thorns  are  wanting.  The  plant  climbs  by  means  of  tendrils 
at  the  base  of  the  leaf -petioles.  If  a  cat  brier  bars  one's  way, 
it  is  best  to  turn  aside.  Some  plants  are  uncompromising, 
and  this  is  one  of  them. 

Woods,  New  England  to  Florida,  west  to  Texas  and  north- 
ward to  Minnesota. 

S.  hispida.. — In  this  species  the  upper  part  of  the  stem  is  cov- 
ered with  very  many  slender,  straight,  fine  prickles.  Leaves,  much 
like   the   last,   but   more   heart  -  shape    at   base,    7-nerved,    with 

376 


VINES   AND    SHRUBS 

petioles.     Flowers,   in  umbels  on   flattened    peduncles.      Fruit,  a 

bluish  black  berry.     May  to  July. 

Damp    thickets,    Connecticut    to    Virginia,    westward    to 

Kansas  and  Texas. 

Carrion-flower 
S.  herbacea  has  rounded  or  ovate  leaves,  obtuse  or  slightly  heart  - 
shape  at  base,  very  acute  at  apex,  7  to  9-nerved,  a  to  5  ; 
long.     The  stem  has  no  prickles.     Flowers,  in  umbels,  man 
gether,   and  they  may  be  positively  known  by  the  carrion-like 
odor  which  they  emit.     June. 

Moist  meadows,  woods,  and  thickets  in  all  the  Eastern 
States. 

Bristly  Green   Brier 

S.  bbna-nox  is  a  very  prickly  species,  the  leaves  being  spiny 
on  their  margins  and  underneath  on  the  veins.  Leaves,  often 
narrowed  in  the  middle,  distended  at  base,  pointed  at  apex, 
smooth  and  shiny.  Flowers,  numerous,  in  small  umbels.  Berries, 
bluish  black,  1 -seeded.  Upright  branches  springing  from  root- 
stocks,  which  bear  large  tubers. 

Thickets,  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  westward  to 
Illinois,  Missouri,  and  Texas. 

(Most  of  our  shrubs  whose  flowers  appear  in  catkins  will 
come  under  the  category  of  green  flowers.) 

Prairie  Willow 

Sklix  humilis. — Family,  Willow.  Color,  greenish,  with  a  red- 
dish tinge.  Flowers,  in  catkins,  appearing  much  earlier  than  the 
leaves.  The  pistillate,  about  1  inch  long,  without  perianth,  but 
attended  by  1  bract;  staminate,  consisting  of  2  stamens  with  long 
filaments.  Capsule,  much  longer  than  its  pedicel.  Leaves,  long, 
lance  -  shape,  acute  at  both  ends,  2  to  4  inches  long,  the  mar- 
gins slightly  rolled  back,  dark  green  and  softly  downy  above, 
often  grayish-woolly  beneath.  Petioles,  short.  Stipules,  small. 
ovate  or  lance  -  shape.  2  to  8  feet  high.  Dry  soil  from  North 
Carolina  and  Tennessee  northward.     April  and  May. 

This  species  frequently  bears  leafy  cones  on  the  ends  of  its 
branches,  produced,  probably,  by  insects. 

Shining  Willow.      Glossy  Willow 

S.  lucida Flowers,   in  catkins,   leafy-bract ed.      The    staminate 

are  feathery,  with  5  stamens  in    each  flower;    pistillate,   denser, 
harder,  longer,  2  to  3    inches  long,  often  remaining  far  into  the 

377 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

spring.  Twigs  smooth,  polished,  yellowish  or  dark  green.  Leaves, 
ovate,  lance  -  shape,  sharply  and  finely  toothed,  tapering  at 
apex,  glossy  green  on  both  sides,  3  to  5  inches  long,  on  stout, 
short  petioles.  Stipules,  rather  prominent,  heart-shape,  glandu- 
lar. Young  leaves  covered  with  stiff,  reddish-brown  hairs.  April 
and  May. 

One  of  the  prettiest  shrubs  of  this  Family,  8  to  15  feet  high, 
or  a  small  tree,  20  feet  high,  of  regular,  bushy  form,  found  in 
swamps  and  the  borders  of  streams  from  Pennsylvania, 
Illinois,  and  Nebraska  northward. 

Dwarf  Gray  Willow.  Sage  Willow 
S.  tristis. — Catkins,  sessile,  few-flowered,  small,  \  inch  long, 
appearing  before  the  leaves.  Staminate  flowers  consist  of  2  sta- 
mens with  smooth  filaments ;  pistillate,  of  2  sessile  stigmas  raised 
above  the  ovary  on  a  thread-like  stalk.  Leaves,  very  narrow,  1 
to  2  inches  long,  whitish  below,  green  and  smooth  above,  with 
revolute  margins,  on  short  petioles. 

The  smallest  of  the  genus,  a  tufted  species,  1  or  2  feet  high. 
Dry  soil,  Maine  to  Florida,  near  the  coast. 

Bog  Willow.     Pussy  Willow.     Glaucous  Willow 

S,  discolor. — Leaves,  broader  than  the  preceding,  finely  serrate 
near  the  middle,  entire  near  the  apex  and  base,  bright  green 
above,  smooth  and  whitish  below,  with  petioles  and  conspicuous 
stipules,  at  least  on  the  younger  leaves,  partly  heart  -  shape,  as 
long  as  the  petioles.  Catkins,  sessile,  coming  before  the  leaves 
in  early  spring,  soft,  hairy,  glossy,  the  pistillate  2  to  3  inches  long. 
Bracts  on  the  catkins  dark  red,  brown,  or  even  black. 

A  shrub  about  15  feet  high,  variable  in  form,  common  on 
banks  of  rivers  and  streams  and  in  low  meadows  from  Maine 
to  Delaware. 

Silky  Willow 

S.  sericea. — Leaves,  long-petioled,  finely  toothed,  narrow,  3  to 
4  inches  long,  very  soft  and  silky,  especially  when  young.  Cat- 
kins, sessile,  with  a  few  leafy  bracts  at  their  base,  about  1  inch  long, 
turning  black  or  dark  brown  when  dried. 

Young  twigs  red  or  purplish,  5  to  12  feet  tall,  in  swamps 
and  near  streams  from  Maine  to  North  Carolina,  westward 
to  Michigan. 

Other  members  of  this  Family  might  be  listed  as  small 
trees  or  shrubs,  but  they  are  more  or  less  localized  as  along  the 
slopes  of  certain  mountains.     Many  are  plants  of  the  arctic 

378 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

regions,  very  few  being  found  in  tropica]  countries.  Willow 
trees  of  the  temperate  regions  sometimes  attain  large  size 
and  live  a  long  time.  They  grow  mostly  in  wet  places,  and 
are  of  use  in  holding  the  soil  of  sloping  river-banks  together, 
also  for  forming  wind-breaks.  Osier  willows  arc  used  for 
baskets  and  wicker-work.  It  is  said  that  Alexander  P 
planted  the  first  willow  in  England,  by  taking  a  twig  which 
was  in  a  box  of  figs  from  the  Levant  and  thrusting  it  into  the 
ground. 

Bayberry.  Waxberry 
Myrica.  carolinensis.  —  Family,  Sweet  Gale.  Color  of  catkins, 
green.  Leaves,  oblong  or  lance  -  shape,  narrow  at  base,  some- 
what toothed  along  the  middle,  thin,  green  on  both  sides,'  dotted 
with  resinous  glands.  The  two  kinds  of  flowers  are  in  separate 
catkins,  each  with  a  bract  and  a  second  pair  of  bractlets.  3  to  5 
feet  high. 

Sandy  soil,  near  the  coast,  pine  woods  and  dry  thickets, 
New  England  to  Florida.  A  familiar  shrub  with  fragrant 
leaves  owing  to  resinous  drops.  The  nut-like  fruit  bears 
grains  of  wax  which  used  to  be  collected  and  made  into 
candles.  These  candles,  if  burned  on  Hallowe'en,  were 
supposed  to  keep  off  witches. 

Sweet  Gale 
M.  Gale. — Catkins  appear  in  early  spring,  before  the  long,  nar- 
row, wedge-shaped  leaves. 

A  fragrant,  woody,  tenacious  shrub,  4  or  5  feet  high,  with 
bark  something  like  black  birch,  often  small-dotted.  The 
stiff,  hard  heads  of  nuts  formed  from  the  fertile  catkins  of 
flowers  might  be  tiny  pine  cones.  Each  nutlet,  under  the 
magnifying-glass,  shows  3  points,  2  being  made  from  "scales" 
which  cover  the  seed  from  the  base.  Small  resinous  bits  of 
wax  (seen  only  under  the  glass)  dot  the  nutlets.  The  cones. 
£  inch  long,  are  crowded  together  on  the  fruiting  branch.  A 
shrub  of  the  swamps  from  Maine  to  Virginia. 

Robert  Beverly,  in  History  of  Virginia  (published  1705). 
states  that  "  at  the  mouths  of  their  rivers,  and  all  along  upon 
the  sea  and  bay,  and  near  many  of  their  creeks  and  swamps, 
the  myrtle  grows,  bearing  a  berry  of  which  they  make  a  hard  . 
brittle  wax  of  a  curious  green  color,  which  by  refining  becomes 
almost  transparent.  Of  this  they  make  candles,  which  are 
never  greasy  to  the  touch,  and  do  not  melt  with  lying  in  the 

379 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

hottest  weather;  neither  does  the  snuff  of  these  ever  offend 
the  sense  like  that  of  a  tallow  candle,  but,  instead  of  being 
disagreeable,  if  an  accident  put  a  candle  out,  it  yields  a 
pleasant  fragrance  to  all  who  are  in  the  room,  insomuch  that 
nice  people  often  put  them  out  on  purpose  to  have  the  in- 
cense of  the  expiring  snuff." 

Sweet  Fern 

M.  asplenifblia. — Fertile  flowers,  in  ball-like  catkins,  the  fruit 
being  a  little  hard,  green  nut  surrounded  by  8  long,  awl-shaped, 
persistent  green  scales.  In  the  sterile  catkins  the  scales  are 
pointed  above,  heart  or  kidney  -  shape  below.  Leaves,  long, 
lance-shape,  cut  into  fern-like  divisions.     April  and  May. 

In  woods  and  on  hillsides  where  the  soil  is  dry  and  sandy. 
A  favorite,  common, low  shrub,  whose  leaves  when  crushed  give 
out  a  pleasant  odor.     They  droop  quickly  after  being  picked. 

Hazelnut.     Filbert 

Corylus  americana. — Family,  Birch.  Color  of  catkins,  greenish. 
Leaves,  oval  or  ovate,  rounded  or  heart  -  shape  at  base,  long- 
pointed  at  apex,  evenly  and  finely  toothed,  smooth  above,  softly 
hairy  beneath,  thin,  short-petioled.  Petioles  and  new  twigs  some- 
times bristly,  with  small  glands  interspersed  between  the  hairs. 
Shrubs  or  small  trees.     March  and  April. 

Staminate  flowers  in  catkins  at  the  ends  of  the  old  twigs 
(of  the  previous  season),  coming  long  before  the  leaves,  3  to  4 
inches  long,  each  flower  consisting  of  4  or  more  stamens  and  2 
bractlets,  without  calyx.  Pistillate  flowers,  in  clusters  at  the 
end  of  this  season's  branches,  consisting  of  a  calyx,  a  2-celled 
ovary,  a  short  style,  and  2  stigmas.  Underneath  are  2  large 
bracts,  which  in  fruit  enlarge  and  cover  the  edible  nut,  grow- 
ing beyond  it,  leaf-like,  fringed,  and  torn  around  the  edges. 
Shrub  4  to  8  feet  high,  leafy,  branched. 

In  dry  thickets,  Maine  to  Florida  and  westward  to  Kansas. 

Beaked  Hazelnut 

C,  rostrata. — Leaves,  broader  than  the  last,  pointed,  somewhat 
heart  -  shape  at  base,  their  serrulate  margins  regularly  incised, 
hairy  on  the  veins  beneath,  petioles  and  twigs  not  glandular  and 
bristly.  The  involucral  bracts  surrounding  the  nuts  unite  at 
the  summit  and  are  prolonged  into  a  bristly,  tubular  beak,  torn 
at  apex,  much  longer  than  the  fruit. 

Common,  like  the  preceding,  throughout  all  the  Atlantic 
States  and  in  the  mountains  to  Georgia.     The  filbert  is  a 

380 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

European  species  (C.  avellana),  whose  nuts,  ripening  in 
October,  grace  our  Thanksgiving  tabic.  One  species  In- 
comes a  tree  50  feet  in  height  (C.  colurna). 

Low  or  Swamp  Birch 
Betula  pumila. — Family,  Birch.  Many  flowers  in  bracted 
kins  of  2  sorts,  without  corolla.  Pistillate  catkins  peduncled, 
about  1  inch  long,  with  2  or  3  flowers  in  the  axils  of  3-lobed 
bractlets.  Staminate  flcnuers,  3  together,  of  2  stamens,  surrounded 
by  a  4-toothed,  membranous  calyx,  with  2  bractlets  lying  under- 
neath. Fruit,  a  small  winged  nut.  Leaves,  rather  thick,  broad, 
oval  or  ovate,  sometimes  narrowed  at  base,  coarsely  toothed, 
with  prominent  veins  reaching  to  the  margin,  short-petioled, 
pale  green  below,  h  to  i\  inches  long.      May  and  June. 

In  bogs,  a  shrub  2  to  15  feet  high,  with  brown  bark  and 
twigs,  the  young  leaves  and  branches  brown,  softly  downy. 
New  England  to  New  Jersey  and  westward. 

Dwarf  Birch.     Glandular  or  Scrub  Birch 

B.  glanduldsa.  —  Leaves,  roundish,  less  than  an  inch  long, 
crenately  toothed,  petioled,  pale  green  and  with  small  glands 
beneath,  bright  green  above.  Staminate  catkins,  single,  \  inch 
long;  pistillate,  longer,  cylindrical.  1  to  4  feet  high,  with  erect, 
smooth  branches,  dotted  with  resinous  glands.     June  and  July. 

A  Northern  species,  found  in  the  mountains  of  New  Eng- 
land, northern  New  York,  Michigan,  in  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  far  to  the  northward.  These  shrubs  have  the  aromatic 
fragrance  peculiar  to  the  birch.  There  are  many  species  of 
the  birch  tree  and  shrub,  confined  to  the  northern  temperate 
and  arctic  countries. 

Smooth  Alder 

Alnus  rugosa. — Family,  Birch.  Color  oj  catkins,  green.  They 
appear  earlier  than  the  leaves,  clustered,  the  sterile  elongated, 
drooping;  the  fertile  short  and  thick.  These  are  formed  one  sum- 
mer, remain  uncovered  through  the  winter,  and  are  developed 
the  next  season.  Leaves,  oval  or  inversely  ovate,  narrowed  at 
base,  rounded  at  apex,  rather  thick,  very  finely  serrulate,  3  to  5 
inches  long,  short-petioled,  regularly  veined,  downy  <>n  the  veins 
beneath,  with  oval  stipules  falling  away  early.     April. 

This  shrub  grows,  mostly  near  the  coast,  on  hillsides  and  in 
wet  places,  as  borders  of  streams,  where  it  makes  close  thick- 
ets. Farther  south  it  attains  the  size  of  a  small  tree.  It  is 
usually  5  to  20  feet  high. 

38r 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Green  or  Mountain  Alder 

A.  crispa, —  Catkins  appearing  with  the  leaves,  the  pistillate 
from  scaly  buds,  slender-peduncled,  short,  clustered;  staminate, 
slender,  without  scaly  covering,  i  to  2  inches  long,  from  buds 
which  were  formed  the  season  before.  Leaves,  oval,  slightly  heart- 
shape,  downy  on  the  veins  underneath,  serrulate  with  very  finely 
cut  teeth,  short-petioled,  dark  green  above,  paler  underneath. 
June. 

Near  the  coast,  along  the  mountains  from  Maine  to  North 
Carolina  and  westward  across  the  country.      2  to  4  feet  high. 

Speckled  or  Hoary  Alder 

A.  inckna. — Catkins,  appearing  before  the  leaves,  the  pistillate 
about  \  inch  long,  nearly  as  broad;  staminate,  3  inches  long, 
drooping,  both  accompanied  with  5-toothed  bracts.  Leaves,  oval 
or  ovate,  usually  pointed  at  apex,  finely  double-toothed,  with 
smaller  teeth  between  the  larger,  pale  green,  whitish  or  downy 
underneath,  with  prominent  veins;  dark  green  above,  with 
short  petioles. 

A  shrub,  or  sometimes  a  small  tree,  8  to  20  feet  high,  found 
in  wet  places,  as  swamps  or  damp  thickets,  from  New  York 
and  Pennsylvania  northward.  The  common  alder  with 
which  we  are  familiar  along  our  streams. 

Scrub  Chestnut  Oak.  Chinquapin  Oak 
Quercus  prmoides — Family,  Beech.  Color,  greenish  or  green- 
ish yellow.  Flowers,  the  staminate  in  long,  drooping  catkins 
composed  of  many  stamens  surrounded  by  a  6-lobed  perianth; 
pistillate,  single,  sessile,  borne  on  last  season's  twigs.  These  pro- 
duce acorns  of  which  the  cup  is  less  than  half  the  size  of  the  nut, 
matured  the  first  season.  Leaves,  oblong  to  lanceolate,  not 
lobed,  coarsely  toothed,  acute,  on  short  petioles,  bright  green 
above,  whitish  and  softly  downy  beneath,  especially  the  leaves 
of  young  branches. 

Low,  branching  shrubs,  3  to  15  feet  high,  in  dry  soil  over  all 
the  States  east  of  the  Mississippi  River.  Most  of  this  Family 
are  large  trees.  This  and  the  next  should  be  ranked  as 
shrubs,  since  they  never  attain  great  size.  They  are  found 
almost  everywhere  in  dry,  sandy  soil. 

Bear  or  Black  Scrub  Oak 

Qj  ilicifblia Flowers,  much  like  the  last.     Leaves,  obovate, 

2  to  5  inches  long,  lobed,  sharplv  pointed,  broadly  triangular,  the 

382 


VINES  AND  SHRUBS 

lobes   tipped    with    a    bristle.     Thickish   and   gray   underneath' 
Acorns  considerably  taller  than  the  cup,  maturing  the  second  year. 

An   irregularly    branched    shrub,    without    beauty, 
found  growing  in  large  numbers  in  burned-over  ground.     In 
sandy,  sterile  soil.     Maine  to  Ohio,  southward  in  the  moun- 
tains of  Virginia  and  Kentucky, 

Common   Hop 

Humulus  Lupulus  ("a  little  wolf,"  because  it  grows  among  and 

twines  around  willows  and  chokes  them  as  a  wolf  does  a  flo< 
sheep). — Family,  Nettle.  Color,  green.  Flowers,  of  two  ;.■ 
the  staminate  in  loose  racemes  or  panicles,  with  a  calyx  of  5 
sepals.  The  pistillate  flowers  grow  in  short,  roundish  spik< 
beneath  a  single,  broad,  thin  calyx-leaf  or  fruiting-bract .  These 
bracts,  closely  grouped  and  overlapping  one  another,  become  the 
scales  of  the  hop-fruit  or  strobile.  Fruit,  an  achene.  The  calyx 
bears  resinous  dots,  which  give  the  h<>]>  its  special  bitter  flavor  and 
odor.  Leaves,  opposite,  serrate,  deeply  3  to  7-lobed  below,  becom- 
ing alternate  and  entire  above;  on  long  petioles,  1  to  3  inches,  with 
stipules.  Fruit  ripe  in  September  and  <  October.  July  and  August. 
The  soporific  hop-vine,  useful  in  making  yeast  and  malt 
liquors,  is  familiar  both  as  a  wild  and  cultivated  vine.  The 
young  shoots  have  been  cultivated  and  eaten  like  asparagus. 
Nova  Scotia  to  New  York,  southward  along  the  mountains 
to  Georgia,  westward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  thickets 
and  along  streams. 

Climbing  False  Buckwheat 

Polygonum  scdndens.—  Family,  Buckwheat.  Color,  yellowish 
green.  Leaves,  heart  or  halberd  -  shape,  pointed.  1  to  (,  inches 
long,  with  petioles  and  conspicuous  sheaths.  Calyx,  5-cleft,  the 
3  outer  divisions  reflexed  in  fruit.     Stamens.  8.     Stigmas,  ... 

A  loose,  straggling  sort  of  vine,  with  small,  dull  flowers  on 
long  pedicels  in  loose  racemes.  The  fruit,  an  achene,  hangs 
loosely  from  the  older  flowers.  In  woods  and  thickets  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Crested  False  Buckwheat 

P.  cristkhtm  is  a  more  slender,  twining  species,  12  to  20  inches 
long.  Leaves,  triangular,  with  rather  sharp  basal  angles  and 
pointed  apex,  long-petioled.  Flowers,  generally  in  leafless  racemes 
on  jointed  pedicels,  greenish. 

In  sandy  woods  and  rocky  banks  from  southern  New  York 
to  Georgia,  westward  to  Tennessee  and  Texas. 
2o  383 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Prickly  Gooseberry.     Dogberry 

Ribes    Cynosbati Family,     Saxifrage.     Color,    green.     Calyx, 

tubular,  clinging  to  ovary,  with  4  or  5  lobes  above.  Petals,  5, 
springing  from  the  throat  of  the  calyx,  so  small  as  scarcely  to  be 
noticeable.  5  stamens  alternate  with  petals.  Ovary,  1 -celled, 
becoming  in  fruit  a  round,  rather  large  berry  covered  with  prickles 
and  tipped  with  the  remains  of  the  shriveled  calyx.  Flowers,  1  to 
3,  on  long  peduncles.  Leaves,  nearly  round,  1  to  2  inches  broad, 
3  to  5-lobed,  the  lobes  cut  or  toothed.  Stems,  with  numerous, 
rather  weak,  slender  spines  at  base  of  the  leaf-stalks.     May. 

In  rocky  woods,  Maine  to  North  Carolina,  especially  among 
the  Alleghanies,  west  to  Missouri.  Found  5,000  feet  high  in 
North  Carolina. 

Smooth  Gooseberry.     Hawthorn  Gooseberry 

R.  oxyacanthoides — Color,  greenish  yellow,  sometimes  with  a 
purplish  tinge.  Flowers,  1  to  3,  with  short  pedicels,  on  long 
peduncles.  Fruit,  a  small,  purple,  edible  berry.  Leaves,  thin, 
deeply  cleft,  heart-shape,  serrate,  the  petioles  sprinkled  with  naked 
glands.  A  few  solitary,  whitish  spines  grow  on  the  stem.  A  species 
sometimes  found  in  gardens,  but  not  much  improved  by  cultivation. 

The  finest  gooseberries  are  raised  in  the  gardens  of  the 
operatives  of  the  factories  in  Lancashire,  England.  There 
the  berries  are  sometimes  2  inches  in  diameter.  In  Scotland, 
also,  the  fruit  is  large  and  delicious.  It  is  eaten,  when  ripe, 
uncooked,  and  considered  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  fruits. 
Our  climate,  with  its  extreme  summer  heat,  is  not  favorable 
to  the  best  development  of  the  gooseberry,  which  requires 
coolness  and  dampness. 

Swamp  Black  Currant.     Swamp  Gooseberry 

R.  lacusire.  —  Color,  green.  Petals,  5,  small,  flat,  spreading. 
Fruit,  a  small,  black,  bristly  berry  not  agreeable  to  the  taste. 
Flowers,  4  to  9,  small,  in  racemes,  on  bracted  pedicels.  Leaves, 
thin,  downy  along  veins,  5  to  7-lobed,  the  lobes  toothed  or  cut. 
Whole  stem  and  branches  covered  densely  with  weak  bristles 
and  larger  thorns.     May  and  June. 

Found  in  cold  woods,  in  swamps,  in  New  England,  New 
York,  westward  to  Michigan.  Neither  a  gooseberry  nor  a 
currant,  but  partaking  of  the  characteristics  of  both. 

Wild  Black  Currant 

R.  fforidum.  —  Color,  whitish  or  greenish  or  yellowish  white. 
Flowers,  large,  showy,  abundant,  in  racemes  with  long  pedicels. 

384 


VINES    AND   SHRUBS 

Leaves,  sharply  3   to   5-lobed,  dotted,     omewhal    heart -shape, 
doubly  serrate.     Fruit,  nearly  round,  black,  smooth  (no  prick 
with  ;i  taste  insipid,  too  sweet.     Stem  and    branches  free  from 

prickles.      April  and  May. 

This  species  is  cultivated,  but  is  not  so  highly  esteen 

the  red  currant.  Woods,  rich  banks,  and  alluvial  soil,  from 
Virginia  to  Kentucky  and  northward. 

Fetid  or  Skunk  Currant 
R.  prostrhtum. — Flowers,  in  racemes.  Branches  and  stem,  low, 
prostrate,  without  prickles  or  thorns.  /..  a  ■  5  to  7 -divided, 
deeply  toothed.  Long,  slender  petioles.  Pedicels  and  fruit,  bris- 
tly and  glandular.  When  bruised  the  plant  gives  out  a  fetid 
odor.     May  and  June. 

Cold,  damp,  rocky  woods  in  all  States  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

Red  Currant 

R»  vulgare. — This  is  the  red  currant  of  our  gardens,  which  by 
cultivation  has  become  improved.  It  needs  little  description. 
Flowers,  greenish.  Fruit,  red,  acid,  in  long,  hanging  racemes. 
Leaves,  3  to  5-lobed,  serrate,  downy  underneath,  with  whitish 
veins  when  young. 

Found  wild  in  cold  swamps  in  New  England  and  New 
Jersey.  From  the  dictionary  we  learn  that  the  currant  is 
so  called  from  the  city  of  Corinth,  in  Greece,  "whence, 
probably,  the  small,  dried  grape  (seedless  raisin)  was  im- 
ported, the  ripe  fruit  receiving  its  name  from  its  resemblance 
to  that  fruit." 

Poison  Ivy.     Poison  Oak.     Mercury-vine 
Rhus    Toxicodendron Family,    Cashew.      Color,    greenish    or 

yellowish  white.  Leaves,  of  3  variously  shaped  leaflets  on  a 
common  long  petiole.  The  terminal  leaflet  is  stalked;  lateral  leaf- 
lets are  generally  sessile.  They  are  broadly  ovate,  wavy-toothed, 
pointed,  often  lobed.  Sterile  and  fertile  flowers  on  different  plants. 
The  former  have  5  sepals  and  petals,  the  outer  ones  greenish,  the 
inner  white,  veined  with  purple.  Stamens,  5.  The  pistillate  flow- 
ers have  5  greenish  white  sepals,  and  5  yellowish  white  petals. 
Fruit,  a  dull,  whitish  berry.  Flozccrs,  in  loose  panicles  in  the  axils 
of  the  leaves.     June. 

This  too  well-known  climbing  shrub  is  gaining  ground  in 
certain  sections  of  the  country.  Formerly  it  was  unknown 
in  New  England,  but  now  it  infests  many  farms  and  roadsides 

385 


POISON    IVY.       POISON    OAK.       MERCURY-VINE 

(Rhus  Toxicodendron) 
(See  page  385) 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

there,  as  in  New  York  and  \Yw  Jersey.  It  flourishes  in  salt 
air  and  in  every  kind  of  soil.  By  means  of  tiny  rootlets  on  its 
stem  it  climbs  to  the  very  tops  of  high  I  r.  ■■  ping  their 

trunks  in  a  mass  of  hard-stemmed,  3-leaved  foliage;    or  it 
covers  fences,   stopping  at    the   posts   for  extra  decorative 
effects.     It   carries    itself   flauntingly   and    gaudily,    in    fall 
faintly  imitating  the  Virginia  creeper,  with  sickly  hu< 
and  yellow.     When  it  cannot  climb  it  masses  itself  on  the 
ground.  The  juice  of  the  plant  is  thick  and  yellowish,  becoming 
black  after  being  exposed  to  the  air.      It  produces  an  exceed- 
ingly irritating  eruption  upon  the  skin  of  persons  susceptible' 
to  the  rhus  poison,   often  dangerous  and  difficult  to  heal 
Even  of  persons  who  are  "  immune  "  to  this  |  ><  )is<  >n,  if  the  juice 
of  the  plant  is  brought  in  contact  with  the  blood,  absc< 
and   painful    sores   will    almost   certainly   be   produced.      It 
should  be   rooted  out    with    hoe   and    plow   by   every   self- 
respecting  land-owner.      (See  illustration,  p.  386.) 

Poison  Dogwood.     Poison  Sumach 

R.  Vernix  is  the  most  poisonous  plant  of  our  country,  and  it  pos- 
sesses, moreover,  the  fatal  gift  of  beauty,  often  alluring  unsus- 
pecting persons  in  the  autumn  to  fill  their  arms  with  its  brilliantly 
colored  leaves.  With  the  swamp  maple,  it  adds,  most  of  ail 
plants,  to  the  glory  of  the  swamps.  Insanity  and  even  fatal  re- 
sults have  been  known  to  follow  the  handling  of  its  branches. 
Many  people  are  wholly  immune  to  this  plant's  evil  effects,  while 
others  are  poisoned  simply  by  passing  the  shrub.  Especially  it" 
the  pores  of  the  skin  are  opened  by  perspiration,  it  is  danger.  >us 
to  stand  near  the  poison  sumach.  Ignorance  in  such  a  case  is 
culpable,  and  yet  how  few  have  really  taken  pains  to  learn  this 
common  plant,  growing  by  our  roadsides  and  along  our  favorite 
wood-paths!  A  few  simple  things  arc  all  that  it  is  necessary  to 
remember.  First,  the  leaf-stalks  are  red,  with  from  7  t<»  13  sessile, 
pointed,  feather-veined  leaflets  rather  far  apart  from  one  another. 
Second,  the  blossoms  are  a  dull  greenish  white,  in  loose  panicles 
from  the  leaf-axils,  never  terminal.  Third,  the  fruit  is  a  white. 
not  red,  berry.  Fourth,  the  bark  is  gray,  and  the  height  <>f  the 
shrub  varies  from  8  to  15  feet.  Lastly,  it  grows  in  swampy 
places.      (See  illustration,  p.  388.) 

Stag-horn  Sumach 
R.  iyphina.  is  a  tall  shrub,  sometimes  becoming  a   tree.     The 
ends  of  the  irregular  branches,  covered  with  a  .—ft.  velvety  down, 
give  the  name  stag-horn.     Flenvers,  greenish  yellow,  with  a  centra] 

387 


poison  dogwood,     poison  sumach.     (Rhus  Vernix) 
(See  page  387) 


VINES   AND    SHRUBS 

orange-red   disk,   5-parted   calyx,   5-petaled   corolla,   5  stamei 
styles,  and  3  short  purple  stigmas.     Fruit,  a  close  bum  b  of  globular 
berries  covered  with  crimson  hairs.     Stems,  yellowish.     Lt 
11    to  31,  sessile,   feather-veined,  lance-shape,  serrate,  pointed. 
June  and  July. 

Dry  soil,  along  roadsides  or  in  fields  from  New  England 
to  Georgia  and  westward. 

Smooth  Sumach 

R.  glabra  is  our  most  common  species,  lining  the  roadsides  and 
covering  barren  fields,  the  foliage  turning  a  rich,  dark  crimson 
color  in  fall.  This  shrub  rarely  reaches  a  height  of  10  feet.  Its 
pinnate  leaves  are  often  1  foot  long,  leaflets  numbering  11  to  31, 
sharply  toothed,  the  veins  ending  in  the  sinuses.  Flowers,  in  large, 
close,  compound,  terminal  clusters,  forming  a  bunch  of  small, 
velvety,  crimson-haired  berries,  of  an  acid,  pleasant  taste. 

Dry  soil,  over  all  the  Eastern  States. 

Dwarf  or  Mountain  Sumach 
R.  copalltna  is  a  low  shrub,  from  3  to  5  feet  high.  This  is  the 
most  beautiful  of  the  genus,  owing  to  the  bright,  glossy,  dark 
green  of  the  leaflets,  on  broadly  winged  petioles.  Pyramidal 
bunches  of  greenish  white  flowers  stand  up  from  the  ends  of  the 
branches  during  the  summer,  followed  by  a  bunch  of  roundish 
red  berries,  gray  dotted.  Leaflets,  9  to  21,  unequal  at  base,  gen- 
erally entire. 

The  bark  of  all  members  of  this  Family  is  highly  charged 
with  tannin;   hence  is  useful  in  tanning  leather.      R.  cor:  . 
a  foreign  species,  is  most  used  for  this  purpose,  and  finds  a 
market  in  Great  Britain,  being  exported  from  Sicily  and  Italy. 

Staff  Tree.  Shrubby  or  Climbing  Bittersweet.  Wax- 
work 
Celastrus  scandens,— Family,  Staff  Tree.  Color,  greenish.  Pis- 
tillate and  staminate  flowers,  often  on  different  plants.  Corolla  of 
5  expanding  petals,  slightly  fringed,  inserted  under  a  cup-shaped 
disk  which  lines  the  calyx-tube,  in  sterile  flowers  the  5  stamens 
alternate  with  the  5  calyx-lobes.  In  fertile  flowers  the  ovary, 
2  to  4-celled,  arises  from  the  top  of  the  disk,  with  a  thick  style 
and  2-lobed  stigma.  Leaves,  alternate,  elliptical  or  oval,  some- 
what rounded  at  base,  pointed  at  apex,  finely  toothed,  petioled, 
2  to  5  inches  long.  Flowers,  in  racemose  clusters,  terminating 
the  branches.     June. 

It  is  the  fruit  which  makes  this  a  favorite  plant,  a  scarlet 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

aril,  containing  several  seeds  in  an  orange-colored,  3-parted 
saucer.      Underneath  is  a  5-parted,  persistent  calyx. 

A  twining  shrub,  growing  often  15  or  20  feet  in  length,  and 
covering  rocks,  bushes,  and  trees.  It  buries  its  roots  by  the 
waters  of  some  roadside  spring,  and  its  yellow  leaves,  with  its 
rich,  golden  fruit,  make  one  of  the  most  beautiful  touches  of 
autumn. 

Buckthorn 

Rhamnus  alnifolia.  —  Family,  Buckthorn.  Color,  greenish. 
Calyx-tube,  urn-like,  crowned  with  5  lobes,  5  short  stamens  stand- 
ing between  the  lobes.  No  petals.  Flowers,  small,  single  or  2  or  3 
together  in  the  leaf-axils,  staminate  and  pistillate,  usually  in  dif- 
ferent plants.  Fruit,  a  3 -seeded,  black,  fleshy,  pear-shaped  drupe. 
Leaves,  oval,  prominently  veined,  acute  at  both  ends,  with  short 
petioles,  finely  toothed,  2  to  4  inches  long.     June. 

A  low  and  spreading  shrub,  found  in  swamps  from  New 
Jersey  to  Illinois,  Nebraska,  Montana,  and  California,  north- 
ward. 

R.  ca.rolinia.na.. — Flowers,  perfect,  in  fives,  single  in  the  axils,  or 
clustered,  larger  than  the  last,  on  peduncles.  Leaves,  appearing 
before  the  flowers,  oblong,  pinnately  veined,  pointed  at  base, 
somewhat  rounded  at  apex,  petioled,  broadly  toothed.  May  and 
June. 

A  shrub  or  small  tree,  without  thorns,  in  swamps  or  along 
river-banks,  sometimes  on  dry  hillsides,  New  Jersey  to  Vir- 
ginia and  Kentucky,  south  to  Florida. 

Common  Buckthorn 

R.  caihartica. — Parts  of  the  flower  in  fours.  Leaves,  smooth, 
ovate,  petioled,  finely  serrate.  Small  branches,  rigid,  like  spines. 
May  and  June. 

A  thorny  bush  often  cultivated  for  hedges.  Grows  from  6 
to  20  feet  high. 

Virginia  Creeper.     Woodbine 

Psedera  quinquefolia.  —  Family,  Vine.  Color,  green.  Calyx, 
with  5  short  teeth.  Petals,  4  or  5,  thick,  widely  open.  Flowers, 
clustered  in  rather  large  panicles.  Leaves,  compound,  with, 
generally,  5  leaflets  attached  to  the  apex  of  the  stalk.  Leaflets, 
oval,  elliptical,  stalked,  2  to  6  inches  long,  acute  at  apex,  rather 
coarsely  toothed  above  the  middle. 

A  well-known  vine,  with  woody  stems,  climbing  by  means 
of  rootlets  and  suckers  on  the  ends  of  branching  tendrils. 

390 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

These  flat  disks  adhere  to  smooth  or  rough  surfaces,  and  pull 
the  plant  over  trunks  of  trees,  stone  walls,  etc. 

In  October  small,  dark  berries  appear.     S  it  is 

mistaken  for  poison  ivy.  which  has  3  instead  oi   5  leal 
This  is  not  only  harmless,  but  is  often  transplanted  into  our 
gardens,  where  it  mingles  with  other  vines,  covering  g 
posts  and  old  stumps.     It  is  adapted  to  every  variety  1  >i  soil. 
I  have  been  surprised  to  find  it  on  the  very  tops  of  the  sand- 
dunes,  where  it  must  catch  the  salt   spray,  and  nothing 
but  coarse  grass  can  grow.     And  in  the  autumn  it   pai 
whatever  it  covers  with  glorious  masses  of  scarlet . 

Ampelopsis 

Cissus  Ampelopsis. — Family,  Vine.     Color,  greenish.     Sepals  and 
petals,  4  or  5.     Flowers,  small,  in  a  Loose,  slender  panicle.     Fruit, 
a   berry  the  size  of  a  pea,  not   edible,  blue  or  greenish,  1  I 
seeded.     Leaves,  heart-shape  or  square  at  base,  pointed  a1    apex, 

coarsely  toothed,  occasionally  lobed,  downy  along   the  veins  un- 
derneath.    June. 

A  climbing,  woody  vine,  along  river-banks,  from  Virginia 
to  Nebraska  and  south  to  Florida. 

Northern  Fox  Grape 

Vttis  labrusca. — Family,  Vine.  Color,  greenish.  Leaves,  sim- 
ple, large,  rounded  or  deeply  lobed,  distantly  toothed,  covered 
underneath  with  rusty  wool.  Opposite  every  leaf  is  a  forked 
tendril,  by  means  of  which  the  plant  climbs.  Bark,  lo 
stripping  off.  Flowers,  some  perfect,  others  lacking  pistils.  (  'alyx, 
short,  obscurely  5-toothed.  Corolla,  of  4  to  5  petals.  Alternating 
with  the  5  stamens  are  5  nectar-bearing  glands.  Pistil,  with  or 
without  style,  and  a  2-divided  stigma.  Fruit,  a  2 -celled,  4-seeded 
berry  of  a  dark-purple  color,  with  thick  skin  and  tough  pulp,  I 
inch  in  diameter.     June. 

Sometimes  this  vine  reaches  100  feet  in  length.  It  is 
strong,  aggressive,  and  makes  a  thicket  of  its  many  branches 
wherever  it  grows.  Its  main  stem  may  have  a  diameter  of 
6  to  10  inches.  It  is  the  origin  of  many  ^\  our  cultivated 
grapes — Concord,  Isabella.  Catawba,  etc. 

The  word  grape  means  bunch,  or  cluster,  from  the  old 
French  grappe. 

Fruit  ri]  »e  in  Se]  >tember  <  >r  <  >ct<  »ber.  M-  >is1  1  >r  dry  thickets, 
the  length  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  westward  to  the  Alleghany 
Mountains. 

391 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Summer  Grape.     Pigeon  Grape 

V.  aestivalis.-  Leave s,  deeply  and  obtusely  3  to  5-lobed,  softly 
downy  with  rusty  wool  when  young,  broadly  toothed,  on  short 
petioles.  Fruit,  a  pleasantly  flavored,  small  berry,  ripe  in  Sep- 
tember.    Flowers  in  May  and  June. 

This  species  may  at  once  be  known  by  the  omission  of  the 
tendril  opposite  every  third  leaf.  Thickets,  from  New  Hamp- 
shire to  Florida  and  westward  to  Kansas  and  Texas. 

Frost  Grape 

V,  cordifolia. — Leaves,  deeply  heart-shape  at  base,  shiny,  en- 
tire or  sometimes  3-lobed,  sharply  and  deeply  toothed,  3  to  4 
inches  across,  with  long  petioles.  Tendrils,  forked,  not  regularly 
placed.  Trunk  grows  to  a  large  size,  often  1  foot  in  diameter. 
Fruit,  a  small,  black,  1  to  2 -seeded  berry,  ripening  late  in 
autumn,  after  frost.    Panicle  rather  long  and  full.     May  and  June. 

Damp  thickets  and  along  streams,  from  New  England  to 
Florida,  westward  to  Nebraska. 

River-bank  or  Sweet-scented  Grape 

V.  <vulpina. — Leaves,  3  to  7-lobed,  the  lobes  sharp-pointed,  teeth 
irregular,  large  and  small,  with  toothed  and  persistent  stipules. 
Panicle  of  flowers  and  fruit  more  compact  than  the  last.  Berries, 
blue,  covered  with  a  bloom,  acid  even  when  quite  ripe,  juicy.  A 
touch  of  frost  sweetens  this  grape. 

River-banks  and  wet  thickets.  Maryland,  West  Virginia, 
northward. 

Muscadine.     Southern  Fox  Grape.     Bullace 

V.  rotundifblia. — Leaves,  shiny  on  both  sides,  rather  small,  not 
lobed,  roundish  in  outline,  widely  and  deeply  toothed,  2  to  3 
inches  across.  Bark,  not  loose  and  torn.  Tendrils,  not  forked. 
Panicles  of  flowers,  small,  thickly  flowered.  Fruit,  with  thick, 
tough  skin,  large,  round,  black,  without  a  bloom,  musky  in  taste, 
ripening  early  in  autumn.      Blossoms  in  May. 

The  Scuppernong  grape  is  derived  from  this  species.  River- 
banks,  in  moist,  sandy  soil,  Maryland  to  Florida  and  west- 
ward. 

VINES    AND    SHRUBS    WITH    WHITE    BLOSSOMS 

Virgin's  Bower 

Clematis  <virginiana. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
opposite,  divided,  generally,  into  3   leaflets,  each  deeply  serrate, 

392 


virgin's  bower  (Clematis  virginiana) 

(Sec  ; 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

more  or  less  heart-shape  at  base,  smooth,  dark  green.  Petals,  none. 
Sepals,  4,  small,  looking  like  white  petals.  Pistils  and  stamens,  in 
different  flowers,  numerous,  a  few  sterile  stamens  often  mixed  with 
the  pistils.  Flowers,  in  leafy  panicles.  In  the  center  of  the  fertile 
flower  the  fruits  ripen  into  plumose  achenes,  feathery  and  downy, 
enabling  the  seed  to  float  far  in  the  breeze.     July  and  August. 

A  long  vine,  growing  over  shrubs  and  fences  by  means  of 
the  turning  and  twisting  of  its  leaf-stalks.  In  places  it 
makes  a  tangle  over  alders,  hazels,  and  other  bushes,  twining 
into  a  veritable  bower.  Its  hoary,  plumed  seeds  are  ripe  in 
September,  and,  if  near  one's  house,  press  themselves  flat 
against  window-screens.  Wet,  springy  soil,  river-banks,  etc. 
New  England  to  Georgia  and  westward  to  Kansas.  (See 
illustration,  p.  393.) 

Moonseed 

Menispermum  canadense. —  Family,  Moonseed.  Color,  white. 
Stamens  and  pistils,  borne  on  different  flowers  of  the  same  plant. 
Sepals,  4  to  8,  with  12  to  14  stamens  of  the  same  length.  An- 
thers, 4-celled.  Pistils,  2  to  4,  raised  on  a  short  receptacle,  accom- 
panied by  6  sterile  filaments  and  6  to  8  petals.  Flowers,  very 
small,  panicled.  Fruit,  a  fleshy,  round,  black  drupe  covered  with 
a  bluish  bloom.  The  stone  inside  is  wrinkled,  flat,  crescent- 
shape,  whence  the  common  name.  Leaves,  alternate,  very 
broadly  shield-shape,  4  to  8  inches  across,  acute  at  apex,  with 
slender  petioles.     June  and  July. 

Woody  climbers.  The  panicle  of  small  flowers  is  not  very 
noticeable,  but  the  bunch  of  grape-like  fruit  in  September 
adds  beauty  to  the  tangled  growth  beside  our  streams.  Along 
banks  of  streams  in  all  the  Eastern  States. 

Mock  Orange.     Syringa 

Philadelphus  inodorus. — Family,  Saxifrage.  Color,  white.  Calyx, 
tubular,  top-shape,  the  limb  4  to  5-parted.  Petals,  4  or  5,  round- 
ish or  ovate,  large,  not  scented.  Stamens,  numerous.  Styles,  3 
to  5,  more  or  less  united.  Flowers,  generally  2  or  3  together, 
terminating  short  branches;  sometimes  single.  Leaves,  opposite, 
oval,  pointed  at  both  ends,  distinctly  3 -nerved,  entire  around  the 
margins,  or  with  a  few  small  teeth.     May. 

In  thickets  south  of  Virginia.  Cultivated  in  Pennsylvania 
and  escaped  from  gardens. 

Large  -flowered  Syringa 

P.  grandiflbrus A    taller    shrub    than    the   last,    with    larger 

flowers.     6  to  10  feet  high.     Leaves,  broad,  oval  or  ovate,  acute, 

394 


VINES   AND   Slll'i 

distantly   toothed.     Flowers,    i    to   .;,    terminating   the  stem   or 
axillary  among  the  upper  leaves.     April  and  M 

Along  streams  in  the  Southern  Sta1 

The  sweet  syringa  of  our  Northern  gardens,  with   Uu 

flowers,  in  terminal  spikes,  is  P.  corona/: 

Wild  Hydrangea 

Hydrangea    arborescens Family,     Saxifrage.      Color,     white-. 

Lcaws,   ovate,    acute,   petioled,   smooth,    toothed.     Flowers,  like 

the  common  garden  hydrangea,  in  compound  cym<  tlong 

the   margin    containing   showy,    petal-lib 

sometimes  pistils.     The  central  flowers  are  complete  with 

and  pistils,  minute  calyx-lobes,  and  small,  greenish  petal 

sionally  all  the  flowers  in  the  center  are  staminate. 

This  showy  shrub  is  found  in  rocky  woods  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Florida. 

Ninebark 

Physocdrpus    opulifolius Family,    Rose.      (  olor,    white,    pink, 

or    purplish.      Sepals    and    petals,    5.      Stamens,    many.      Fit 
small,    in    abundant,    roundish,    umbel-like    clusters,    each    on    a 
slender  pedicel,  the  umbel  pcduncled.     Pods  follow  the  flow 
3  together,  of  a  purplish  color,  longer  and  more  conspieuous  than 
the  flowers.     Leaves,  alternate,  roundish   in  outline,  heart-shape 
or  square  at  base,  generally  3-lobed,  finely  serrate.      June. 

An  ornamental  shrub,  often  cultivated,  3  to  10  feet  high, 
with  recurved  branches.  The  old  bark  becomes  loose,  and 
every  year  separates,  hanging  in  thin  strips,  whence  the  com- 
mon name.    Along  banks  of  streams,  New  England  t.  >  VI  »rida. 

Meadow-sweet.     Quaker  Lady 
Spiraea  salicifblia.—  Family,   Rose.     Color,  white,  with   a   tinge 
of  light  pink.     Calyx,  5-cleft.     Petals,  5.      Stamens,  many.      I 
5,  opening  along  one  seam.     Leaves,  alternate,  on  short  petioles, 
oval    or    inversely    ovate,    pinnately    veined,    serrate,    on    shorl 
petioles,  1  to  2  inches  long.     June  to  August . 

A  slender,  tawny-stemmed  shrub,  2  to  4  feel  high,  growing 
along  fence-rows  and  roadsides  in  wet  soil.     The  dry  fruil 
last  year  is  sometimes  found  on  the  bush  among  the  flov 
of  this  year.     From   New    England   southward,  among  the 
mountains,  to  Georgia  and  westward.    (See  illustrate  >n, 

Chokeberry 
Pyrus  arbuti folia.- -Family,  Rose.      (  'olor,  white,  or  tinted  with 
rose  purple.     Calyx,  tubular,  with   5  divisions,  softly  v 

39S 


meadow-sweet,     quaker  lady.      (Spiraea  salicifolia) 
(See  page  395) 


PROPfchtv  Jt 

*■*  18.  COUEGE  LIBRARY, 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

are  also  the  pedicels.     Petals,  5,  concave.     Stamens,  main-,  with 
white  filaments  and  purple  anthers.    Flowers,  in  compound  *  j 
terminal,  but,  later,  non-flowering  shoots  grow  beyond  them.   Fruit, 
size  of  a  whortleberry,  round  or  slightly  elongated,  red  or  pur- 
plish, acid,  dry  and  sweetish.     Leaves,  simple,  alternate,   1 
inches  long,  elliptical  or  ovate,  finely  toothed,  with  short  pel 
and  narrow  stipules,  smooth,  glossy  green,  with  dark  glands 
the  midribs.      March    to   May. 

A  shrub  3  to  7  feet  high,  growing  in  wet  ground,  as  moist 

thickets  or  swamps  or  damp  w Is,  from  New  England  to 

Florida,  westward  to  Louisiana,  northward  to  Minnesota. 

June  Berry.     Service  Berry.     Shad  Bush 

Amelanchier  canadensis. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  white.  /. 
ovate,  pointed,  rounded  or  notched  at  base,  finely  toothed,  a  or  ^ 
inches  long,  on  petioles,  pale  green  underneath.  Stipules,  1<  >ng  and 
narrow, and  with  the  bud-scales  silky-downy,  falling  with  the  scales. 
Calyx,  5-parted.  Petals,  5,  long,  narrow,  notched,  tapering  at 
base.  Stamens,  many.  Fruit,  a  dark-crimsoned,  lo-seeded,  edible 
berry,  with  the  calyx  points  remaining  on  the  tip.  The  Jt 
grow  in  spreading  racemes,  with  leaves  or  bracts  among  them. 
They  come  early  in  spring,  their  pure  white  contrasting  prettily 
with  the  pale-green,  glossy,  silky  leaves  and  the  pretty  crimson 
of  the  investing  scales.  They  have  a  fishy  smell.  The  name 
shad  bush  refers  to  the  time  of  the  approach  of  the  spring  shad 
in  our  waters.     April  and  May.     Fruit  in  June. 

This  often  attains  the  proportions  of  a  small  tree.    It  gr 
in  dry  soil,  in  light  woods  or  thickets,  or  along  the  roadsides. 

A.  oblongifblia A  shrub   or   small    tree,    with    very    whitish, 

downy   young   leaves   and   racemes   of   flowers.     Leaves,   obi 
oval,  or  elliptical,  finely  serrate,   acute  or  rounded  at   each   end. 
pale  green  beneath,  petioled.      Flowers,  smaller  than  the  last,  in 
dense  racemes.     Fruit,  round,  juicy. 

Wet,  swampy  ground,  in  woods  or  rocky  uplands,   from 
Virginia  northward. 

A.  oligocarpa. — A    shrub,    not    so   tall    as   the    last    two 
2  to  9  feet  high.      Flowers,  a  few.    1   to  4,  in  a  raceme,  long-pedi- 
celled.      Fruit,    dark   purple,  covered    with    a    bloom,    pears1 
Leaves,   1   to  3  inches  long,  thin,  oblong  or  oval,  acute  at   apex, 
finely  toothed,  short-petioled. 

Found  northward  in  cold  swamps,  in  mountains  and  damp 
woods, New  England  and  Xew  Y<  irk,  westward  to  Lake  Superior. 

397 


HARPERS   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Dwarf  Thorn.     Pear  Thorn 

Crataegus  tomentbsa — Family,  Rose.  Color,  white.  Calyx,  a 
tube  with  5  points  the  length  of  the  petals.  Petals  and  styles,  5. 
Stamens,  many.  Fruit,  a  yellowish,  pear-shape  pome,  inclosing  5 
hard  seeds.  Flowers,  1  to  3  or  4  in  corymbs.  Leaves,  alternate, 
inversely  ovate,  simple,  thickish,  shining  above,  slightly  downy 
along  the  veins  underneath,  petioled,  lobed,  finely  toothed.  Stem, 
spiny,  with  thorns  1  to  i\  inches  long.     May  and  June. 

The  hawthorn  division  of  the  Rose  Family  contains  many 
beautiful  trees,  with  fine,  close  foliage,  and  small,  cherry-like 
blossoms.  The  only  one  distinctively  a  shrub  is  the  dwarf 
thorn,  from  3  to  6  feet  high,  growing  in  dry,  sandy  soil  from 
New  Jersey  southward. 

Bramble.     Wild  Red  Raspberry 

Rubus  idaeus,  var.  actxleatissimus, — Family,  Rose.  Color,  white. 
Leaves,  3  to  5-pinnately  divided,  on  bristly  petioles,  the  side  leaf- 
lots  sessile,  downy  underneath.  Calyx,  sticky,  bristly.  Petals,  5, 
"',11  falling.  Flowers,  in  terminal  or  axillary  long  -  pedicelled 
clusters.  Stem  and  branches  covered  with  rigid  prickles.  Fruit, 
red,  composed  of  round,  small,  edible  drupes,  mounted  on  a 
spongy  receptacle,  from  which,  later,  they  fall.  3  feet  high  or 
less.     May  and  July.     Fruit  ripe  in  August  and  September. 

Thickets,  dry  and  rocky  woods,  in  the  mountains  of  North 
Carolina,  in  New  Jersey  and  northward.  Some  of  our  culti- 
vated raspberries  originated  with  this  fruit. 

Black  Raspberry.     Thimbleberry.     Black  Cap 

R.  occidentalis, — Color,  white.  Sepals,  longer  than  the  petals. 
Flowers,  in  compact  corymbs,  terminal.  Leaves,  pinnately  di- 
vided into  3  leaflets,  the  latter  ovate,  doubly  serrate,  the  side 
leaflets  sessile  or  short-stalked,  white-downy  underneath.  Stems, 
growing  long,  10  feet  or  less,  bending  over  and  rooting  at  the  tips, 
very  prickly.     May  and  June.      Fruit  ripe  in  July. 

A  common  species,  especially  in  New  England.  The 
raspberry  is  an  obliging  little  fruit,  coming  after  the  straw- 
berry and  consoling  us  for  the  departure  of  that  "  best  berry 
that  the  Lord  ever  made."  Wild  raspberries  grow  in  rocky 
land,  up  hillsides,  along  fence  -  rows,  in  all  the  Eastern 
States,  south  to  Georgia  and  Missouri. 

Mountain  Blackberry.     High  Bush  Blackberry 

R.  altegheniensis.  —  Color,  white.  Leaves,  of  3  to  5  leaflets; 
when    5,    radiating   from   a    common    center.     Leaflets   pointed, 

398 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

toothed,  ovate,  stalked,  the  terminal  ones  more  or  less  heart- 
shape,  hairy  underneath.  Sepals  and  petals,  5.  The  fruit  oi 
the  blackberry  is  a  collection  of  small  fruits,  cadi  a  drupe,  all 
clinging  to  a  long,  juicy,  edible  receptacle,  green,  becoming  red, 
then,  when  ripe,  black.  Flowers,  several  in  a  raceme,  and 
large,'  tempting  berries  in  clusters.  The  hush  is  very  prickly, 
from  6  to  8  feet  high,  with  furrowed,  bending  bran  : 
flavor  of  a  perfectly  ripe,  well-developed  high  blackberry  is  finer 
than   any  cultivated   variety. 

Found  in  fence-rows,  borders  of  thickets,  and  old  fields  all 
over  the  Northern  and  Middle  States.  It  is  the  origin  of  some 
20  cultivated  species. 

Dewberry 

R.  <villbsus. — Stems,  somewhat  woody,  becoming  low  and  trail- 
ing, armed  with  slender  prickles.  Fruiting  branches  ascend. 
bearing  large  flowers  in  leafy  racemes,  then  black,  juicy  berries, 
composed  of  a  few  small  drupes. 

Dry,  open  fields  and  roadsides. 

Sand  Blackberry 

R.  cuneifolius A  species  about  3  feet  high,  with  whit. 

2  to  4  together,  nearly  1  inch  broad.     Leaves.  3-foliate,  roughish 
above,  whitish  downy  beneath.     Leaflets,  nearly  sessile,  inv.  1 
ovate,  toothed,  1  to  2  inches  long.      Whole  plant  armed  with  stout 
prickles.     May  to  July.     Fruit  ripe  in  July  and  August. 

One  of  the  finest  wild  blackberries,  luscious  and  tender. 
Dry  or  sandy  soil,  Connecticut  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Low  Bush  Blackberry 

R.  tri<vihlis. —  Stems,    reclining,    with    short,    hooked    prickles. 
Petioles  and  peduncles  also  prickly.     Leaves,  3-divided,  leathery, 
evergreen,    petioled,    rounded   at   base,    acute   at   apex,    serrate. 
Petals,  large,  the  flowers  1  inch  across.     Sepals,  small,  turned  ! 
Fruit,  quite  long  and  pleasant  in  flavor.      March  to  May. 

Virginia  to  Florida  in  sterile  soil. 

Low  Blackberry.     Dewberry.     Running  Blackberry 

R.  canadensis.  —  Leaves  of  3,  5,  or  7  small  leaflets,  radiating 
from  a  common  center,  sharply  toothed,  not  prickly,  petioled. 
Leaflets,  oval  or  ovate.  A  smaller  and  more  seedy  berry  than  the 
high   blackberry. 

A  shrubby,  trailing  plant,  growing  in  the  dust  by  roadsides 
or  in  dry  fields,  preferring  rocky  or  sterile  soil.     Prickles  tow 
and  weak,  the  stem  sometimes  quite  smooth.     From  New- 
foundland to  Virginia  and  westward. 
26  399 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Running  Swamp    Blackberry 

P.  hispidus.  —  Leaves  of  3  leaflets,  coarsely  toothed,  rather 
thick  and  smooth,  somewhat  shiny  and  evergreen.  Sepals  and 
petals,  5.     May. 

A  small-flowered  species,  with  weak,  prickly,  trailing  stems, 
sending  up  flower-bearing,  leafy  shoots.  It  is  a  delicate, 
pretty  vine,  not  valuable  for  its  fruit,  which  is  small,  consist- 
ing of  a  few  red  or  black  drupes.  The  leaves  turn  a  fine  shade 
of  red  in  autumn  and  mingle  with  other  vines  and  shrubs  with 
pretty  effect.  Nova  Scotia  to  Georgia  in  swampy,  grassy 
grounds  or  moist  woods. 

Beach  Plum 

Primus  maritima. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  white.  Leaves,  alter- 
nate, with  stipules,  oval,  small,  petioled,  with  finely  cut  edges, 
softly  downy  beneath.  Calyx  of  5  sepals,  united  below.  Petals, 
5.  Stamens,  many.  Pistil,  1.  Fruit,  a  stone  inclosed  in  fleshy 
pulp,  a  drupe.  Just  before  being  ripe  it  is  crimson,  and  when 
fully  ripe  is  a  dark  purple,  covered  with  a  whitish  powdery 
bloom,  as  large  as  a  good-sized  marble.     Edible. 

A  compact,  low,  spreading  bush,  from  2  to  6  feet  high, 
found  in  large  numbers  on  sea-beaches  from  Maine  to  Vir- 
ginia. When  found  farther  inland  the  fruit  is  smaller. 
Bark,  dark  purple,  with  light  dots. 

Wild  Yellow  or  Red  Plum 

P.  americana. — A  tall  shrub  or  medium-sized  tree,  10  to  30 
feet  high.  It  bears  orange  or  reddish  plums,  edible,  but  with  a 
tough  and  acid  skin.  Leaves,  ovate  or  quite  narrow,  pointed, 
smooth,  veiny,  sharply  and  doubly  serrate.  Calyx-lobes,  hairy 
inside. 

Along  river-banks  and  borders  of  damp  woods,  from  south- 
ern New  Jersey  to  Florida,  westward  to  Colorado. 

Chickasaw  Plum 

P.  angustifblia 8  to   20  feet  high,  with  few  if  any  thorns. 

Leaves,  long,  narrow,  finely  toothed,  smooth.     Fruit,  small,  red- 
dish, thin-skinned,  ripe  May  to  July. 

A  Southern  species,  from  Delaware  to  Florida,  in  dry  soil. 

Sloe.     Blackthorn 
P.  instititia — A   shrub,  much  branched,  thorny,   2   to    1 5   feet 
high.      Leaves,   inversely  ovate,   rounded    or   narrowed   at   base, 
acute  or  obtuse  at  apex,  serrate,  softly  downy  beneath.     Fruit, 

400 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

small,  black,  round,  with  a  whitish  bloom      Flowers  appear  before 

the  leaves,  in  clusters,  2  or  more  in  a  cluster. 

Massachusetts  to  New  Jersey  and   Pennsylvania,   in  dry 
soil,  along  roadsides  and  in  waste  places. 
Choke  Cherry 

P.  -virginiana. — Flowers  and  fruit,  in  close  racemes  at   the  - 
of  branches.     The  cherries  are  dark  red,  harsh,  acid,  with  astrin- 
gent taste.     Leaves,  alternate,  large,  pointed,  finely  serrate,  thin, 
oval  to  oblong.      Fruit  ripe  in  July  or  August. 

A  shrub  or  small  tree,  generally  2  to  10  feet  high.  Bark 
grayish,  the  inner  layers  possessing  an  unpleasant  odor. 
Banks  of  rivers,  New  England  to  Georgia. 

Wild  Black  Cherry.     Rum  Cherry 

P.  serottna. — A  tall  shrub  or  large  tree.  Leaves,  smooth,  shin- 
ing, serrate,  the  teeth  curving  inward,  bearing  in  summer  long 
racemes  of  small,  black  berries,  bitter  but  pleasant  in  flavor.  The 
racemes  of  rather  fragrant  flowers  appear  in  May.  Fruit  ripe 
in  August. 

Nearly  everywhere,  along  fence-rows,  roadsides,  in  open 
fields,  and  on  hillsides,  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida.  Used 
as  a  remedy  for  pulmonary  complaints. 

Dwarf  or  Sand  Cherry 

P.  pumita. — A  trailing  shrub,  1  to  6  feet  long.  A  few  flowers 
grow  clustered  along  the  sides  of  the  branches,  with  long  peduncles. 
Fruit,  dark  red,  almost  black  when  ripe.  Leaves,  narrow,  lanceo- 
late, sparsely  serrate. 

Near  the  coast,  in  sand  or  among  rocks,  Maine  to  New 
Jersey,  west  to  Michigan. 

Shrubby  Trefoil.     Hop  Tree 

Ptelea  trifoliata. — Family,  Rue.  Color,  greenish  white.  Lea 
3-foliate.  Leaflets,  ovate,  pointed,  downy,  at  least  when  young. 
Calyx,  petals,  and  stamens,  3  to  5.  Style,  1,  bearing  2  stigmas. 
Fruit,  a  round-winged,  2-celled,  2-seeded  samara,  bitter,  used  as 
a  substitute  for  hops.  Flowers,  unpleasantly  scented,  in  com- 
pound, flat  clusters  terminating  the  branches.      June. 

Often  cultivated.  Wild  in  rocky  places  from  Long  Island 
to  Minnesota  and  southward. 

Black  Alder.     Winterberry.     Fever  Bush 

hex  <verticittata. — Family,  Holly.  Color,  white.  Leaves,  alter* 
nate,  oval,  inversely  ovate  or  lance  -  shape,  2  to  3   inches   long, 

401 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

serrate,  pointed,  on  short  petioles,  rather  thick,  dark  green  above, 
downy  along  the  veins  underneath.  Flowers,  of  two  kinds,  all 
with  short  peduncles.  Staminate  flowers  with  a  calyx  of  6  small 
sepals  with  fringed  margins,  crowded  in  clusters  of  3  to  12  in  the 
leaf-axils.  Pistillate  flowers,  1  to  3  in  the  axils,  with  a  corolla  of 
6  or  7  spreading  recurved  petals.  These  have  false  stamens, 
with  white  filaments  and  anthers  containing  no  pollen.  Fruit, 
bright,  scarlet  berries,  each  filled  with  6  or  8  seeds.  The  berries 
remain,  clustered  along  the  stem,  after  leaves  have  fallen. 

This  shrub,  so  attractive  in  fall,  is  very  common  in  thickets 
bordering  roadsides — those  thickets  which  should  be  left  as 
coverts  for  our  birds.  The  careful  farmer  who  clears  away 
all  his  shrubbery  will  have  few  song  birds  around  his  place, 
and  on  that  account  he  will  have  plenty  of  insects. 

Smooth  Winterberry 

I.  laevigata. — A  fine  shrub  of  the  Holly  Family,  with  -flowers 
in  the  axils,  the  sterile  on  peduncles  1  inch  long,  the  fertile  nearly 
sessile.  Fruit  is  a  conspicuous,  orange  red  berry.  Leaves,  alter- 
nate, on  short  petioles,  lance-shape  or  oblong,  pointed  at  both  ends, 
smooth,  thin,  light  green  on  both  sides,  1  to  2  inches  long.    June. 

Shrub  5  to  10  feet  high,  with  grayish  branches,  found  from 
Maine  to  Virginia  and  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina,  in 
wet  places,  as  swamps. 

Inkberry 

/.  glabra, — An  elegant  shrub  with  delicate  foliage,  often  culti- 
vated. Leaves,  thick,  evergreen,  dark  green  above,  pale,  dotted 
beneath,  lance -shape  or  oblong,  pointed  at  apex,  tapering  at 
base,  slightly  toothed  above  the  middle.  Fertile  flowers,  white, 
single  in  the  axils,  on  minute,  hairy  peduncles;  sterile  clustered, 
3  to  6  in  a  cluster.  Calyx  and  corolla,  6  or  7-lobed.  Stamens, 
with  white  filaments  and  brown  anthers.  Berries,  black,  shining. 
June  and  July. 

A  low  shrub,  2  to  6  feet  high,  growing  in  sandy  soil  not  far 
from  the  coast,  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

Cassena.     Yaupon 

L  Tfomitdria Leaves,   small,  finely   crenate,  oval,  evergreen, 

pale  green  beneath.  Staminate  flowers  with  short  peduncles, 
pistillate  sessile.     Berries,  small,  round,  red.     May. 

The  leaves  make  a  tea  for  people  living  along  the  coast,  and 
the  Indians  of  North  Carolina  formerly  made  a  "  black  drink  " 
of  them,     Virginia  to  Florida  and  westward, 

402 


VINES   AND    SHRUBS 

Dahoon  Holly 

/.  Casstne. — Sometimes  a  low  tree,  reaching   25  feet   in  height. 
Leaves,  evergreen,  with  revolute   margins,  entire,  2   to    \   is 
long.     Fruit,  like  the  last.     May  and  June. 

A  Southern  species,    found   in  swamps  from   Virginia 
Florida  and  westward  to  Louisiana. 

Large-leaved   Holly 

/.  monticola — Sometimes  a  tree.  Generally  a  tall  shrub  found 
in  the  Catskills  and  in  mountain  woods  along  the  Alleghanies. 
Leaves,  2  to  6  inches  long,  thin,  serrate,  petioled,  ovate,  tapering 
to  a  point  at  apex,  obtuse  at  base.  Flowers,  fertile,  generally  sin- 
gle;   sterile,  clustered.     Berries,  red,  large  for  the  genus. 

The  holly  so  much  used  at  Christmas  time  is  cut  from  a 
tree,  /.  opaca,  found  all  along  the  coast  from  Massachusetts 
to  Florida.  The  leaves  are  evergreen,  spiny-toothed,  and 
berries  small,  bright  red.  The  English  holly  is  prettier,  with 
very  glossy  leaves  and  many  red  berries. 

Mountain  Holly 

Nemopanthus  mucronata.  —  Family,  Holly.  Color,  whitish. 
Leaves,  oblong  or  broadly  oval,  tapering  at  base,  acute  at  apex, 
smooth,  pale  green,  with  a  few  small  teeth  or  entire,  on  short, 
slender  petioles.  Flowers,  of  two  kinds,  the  staminate,  clustered 
or  single,  on  long  pedicels,  with  minute  calyx  teeth;  the  pistillate 
with  4  or  5  linear  petals.  Stamens,  4  or  5,  with  prominent  anthers 
on  long,  slender,  protruding  filaments.  Berry,  pale  crimson,  ripe 
in  August,  containing  4  or  5  nutlets  in  yellow  pulp.     May. 

Shrub  6  to  8  feet  high,  with  grayish  bark,  the  older  stems 
often  covered  with  brown  or  gray  lichens.  Low.  wet  woods 
or  swamps,  from  Maine  to  Virginia,  westward  to  Wisconsin. 

American  Bladder  Nut 

Staphylea    trifblia Family,       Bladder     Nut.      Color,     white. 

Leaves,  opposite,  pinnate  or  3-foliate,  with  long,  narrow  stipules; 
the  two  side  leaflets  sessile,  the  middle  one  with  petiole,  finely 
serrate,  ovate,  pointed  at  apex.  Flowers,  perfect.  Calyx,  5- 
parted,  often  tinged  with  pink.  Petals,  5.  contracted  into  a 
tube  below.  Stamens,  5,  with  long,  slender  filaments  and  yellow 
anthers  opening  inward.  Styles,  3,  as  long  as  the  stamens. 
Fruit,  a  3-celled,  membranous  pod,  like  3  adhering  pods,  2  inches 
long,  tipped  with  a  style,  splitting  at  the  top  when  ripe  and  dis- 
closing 1  to  i  bony  seeds.  Flowers,  in  drooping  racemes,  bell- 
shape,  terminating  the  small  branches.     April  and  May. 

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HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

A  large,  irregular  shrub,  8  to  12  feet  high,  with  smooth, 
grayish  bark  in  which  long,  white  cracks  occur.  Bark  of  the 
older  branches  greenish  brown  with  lighter  stripes.  Edges 
of  damp  woods,  thickets,  and  moist  soil  from  New  England 
southward  to  South  Carolina  and  Missouri. 

New  Jersey  Tea.     Red-root 

Ceanbthus   americanus Family,     Buckthorn.      Color,     white. 

Leaves,  alternate,  3-ribbed,  on  short  petioles,  about  2  inches  long, 
toothed,  the  teeth  tipped  with  a  brown,  glandular  point;  oblong 
or  egg  -  shape,  smooth,  except  along  the  veins,  which  are  cov- 
ered with  rusty  brown.  Sepals,  5,  white,  incurved,  rounded. 
Petals,  5  little  hoods,  mounted  on  slender  claws.  In  the  center 
of  the  flower  is  a  fleshy  disk,  to  which  the  sepals  are  attached. 
Stamens,  5.  Pistil,  1,  with  3-lobed  stigma.  Fruit,  a  3-seeded, 
3 -celled  berry,  opening  from  the  center  and  splitting  into  3  car- 
pels. Flowers,  with  white  pedicels  in  small  clusters,  with  long, 
common  peduncles  crowded  along  the  upper  branches  from  the 
axils  of  the  leaves.  They  are  small,  and  the  effect  of  the  umbel 
is  light  and  feathery,  a  pure  white.     July. 

Shrub  low,  1  to  3  feet  high,  with  pale  green  stems,  which 
are  striped  with  brown.  Growing  in  dry,  woodland  places, 
along  borders  of  roads,  often  well  up  a  hillside.  The  leaves 
were  used  for  tea  during  the  American  Revolution.  The 
root-bark,  a  bright  red  color,  has  astringent  qualities,  and 
has  been  used  in  medicine.     It  furnishes  a  brown  dye. 

C.  watus. — Leaves  differ  from  the  last  species  in  being  very 
narrow  and  broadly  ovate  or  obtuse  at  the  apex.  Peduncles,  short. 
Flowers,  in  clusters  at  the  tips  of  leafless  branches. 

A  rare  species  in  the  East,  but  commoner  westward  to 
Minnesota  and  Illinois,  in  dry  or  sandy  soil. 

Loblolly  Bay.     Tan  Bay 

Gordbnia  Lasianthus — Family,  Tea  or  Camellia.  Color,  white. 
Leaves,  leathery,  lance-shape  to  oblong,  finely  toothed,  smooth, 
shiny,  feather-veined,  without  stipules.  Sepals  and  petals,  5, 
the  latter  1  \  inches  long.  Stamens,  in  clusters  at  the  base  of  each 
petal.  Style,  1.  Pod,  5-valved.  Flowers,  showy,  borne  on  long 
peduncles  in  the  axils. 

A  shrub  or  small  tree  found  in  swamps  from  Virginia 
southward,  near  the  coast. 

404 


VINES    AND   SHRUBS 

Passion  Flower 

Passiflbra  incarnata.     Family,  Passion  Flower.     Color,  white  and 
purplish.     A  woody  vine  climbing  by  tendrils  opposite  the  lea 
Leaves,  alternate,  deeply  3-lobed,   roundish   in  outline,   smooth, 
3  to  5  inches  broad,  with  pointed  lobes,  finely  □  petiole  • 

|  to  2  inches  long.  Flowers,  single,  axillary,  consisting  of  a  hell- 
shape,  tubular  calyx  with  4  or  5  narrow  lobes  at  top;  a  double 
or  triple  fringe  of  large  purplish  hairs  or  bristles  called  a  crown, 
in  the  throat.  4  or  5  petals  lie  under  the  fringe,  joined  to  the 
calyx-tube.  Ovary  is  raised  on  a  little  stalk  around  which  the 
filaments  make  a  hollow  tube,  with  anthers  distinct.  Fruit,  size 
of  a  small  lemon,  2  inches  long,  yellowish,  edible,  a  many-seeded 
berry,  called  may-pop.     May  to  July. 

Dry  soil,  Virginia  to  Florida,  westward  to  Texas. 

The  passion  flower  vine  is  better  known  X<  >rth  in  cultiva- 
tion. The  flower  was  named  by  Roman  Catholic  mission- 
aries in  South  America,  who  fancied  they  found  in  it  symb<  »ls 
of  the  passion  of  our  Saviour — "the  crown  of  thorns  in  the 
fringes  of  the  flower,  nails  in  the  styles  with  their  capitate 
stigmas,  hammers  to  drive  them  in  the  stamens,  cords  in  the 
tendrils." 

Bunchberry.     Dwarf  Cornel 

Cornus  canadensis.— Family,  Dogwood.  Color,  greenish  white, 
sometimes  purple-tipped.  Leaves,  nearly  sessile,  4  or  6  in  a  whorl, 
lying  close  under  the  flower,  ovate,  pointed,  with  curved,  parallel 
veins.  Below  on  the  stem  are  a  few  smaller,  scale-like  leaves. 
The  flowers  are  clustered  in  the  center,  small,  greenish,  with  black 
dots  among  them.  Calyx,  minutely  4-toothed.  Corolla,  of  4 
oblong,  spreading  petals.  Stamens,  4,  with  white  anthers.  Pis- 
til, 1.  Directly  under  the  head  of  flowers  are  4  large,  pointed, 
white,  petal-like  leaves,  an  involucre,  which  appear  to  be  the 
flower  itself.  Later  the  flower-stalk  lengthens  and  hears  a  hunch 
of  bright  red  berries,  very  striking  and  pretty.     June. 

This  small  imitation  of  the  larger  flowering  dogwood 
blossom  (C.  florida)  is  only  5  to  7  inches  high.  It  is  not  un- 
common in  deep  woods  in  New  Jersey  and  New  York,  west- 
ward to  Minnesota.  Whether  in  blossom  or  in  fruit,  it  is  a 
pretty  plant  to  find  and  study. 

Round-leaved  Cornel  or  Dogwood 
C,  circinata — Color,  white.     Leaves,   opposite,   round   or  oval, 
distinctly  pointed,  veins  curving  and   parallel,  downy  beneath, 
petioled,  2  to  6  inches  long.     Calyx,  minutely  4-toothed.     Petals, 

405 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

4.  Stamens,  4,  with  slender  filaments.  Style,  1.  Flowers,  gath- 
ered into  broad,  open,  flat  cymes,  without  the  white  involucre 
which  we  know  in  the  flowering  dogwood,  the  tree  which,  because 
of  this  involucre,  is  the  most  showy  of  the  genus,  making  our 
spring  woods  bright.  Berries  of  the  round-leaved  cornel  light 
blue.     May  and  June. 

Shrub,  6  to  10  feet  high,  with  greenish,  warty  -  dotted 
branches.  Rich  or  poor  soil,  in  rocky  woods,  Maine  to 
Virginia,  west  to  Illinois  and  Iowa. 

Silky  Cornel.     Kinnikinnick 

C.  Ambmum. — A  shrub  3  to  10  feet  high,  with  flowers  and  fruit 
much  like  the  last.  Leaves,  narrower,  ovate  or  elliptical,  pointed, 
silky-downy,  pale  green  underneath.  Branches,  purplish.  Whole 
shrub  downy  or  often  rusty.  Flowers,  in  compact  cymes.  Fruit, 
light  blue.     June  and  July. 

Wet  places  in  all  the  Eastern  States.  (See  illustration, 
p.  407.) 

Red-osier  Dogwood 

C.  stolonifera. — This  shrub,  3  to  15  feet  high,  may  be  known 
by  its  bright  red  branches,  especially  when  young.  Leaves, 
rounded  at  base,  ovate,  short-pointed,  whitish  underneath,  rough 
on  both  sides.  Flowers,  few,  in  small,  flat  cymes.  Berries,  white 
or  grayish  white.  This  is  a  shrub  that  makes  thick  clumps  of 
growth  by  means  of  underground  or  prostrate  suckers.     June. 

Common  throughout  New  England  and  across  the  con- 
tinent, northward. 

C.  paniculate  has   smooth,   gray  branches.  Leaves,   ovate   to 

lance-shape    tapering  at  apex,  acute  at  base,  pale  underneath. 

Flowers,  white,  in  elongated  cymes  or  panicles.  Fruit,  white,  on 
pale  red  stalks.     June  and  July. 

A  slender  shrub  found  on  river-banks,  beside  streams,  and 
in  moist  thickets  from  Maine  to  Minnesota  and  southward. 
The  leaves  of  the  shrubs  of  this  Family  turn  beautiful  shades 
of  yellow  and  red  in  the  fall. 

Stiff  Cornel 
C,  strida. — A   Southern  species,  8  to   15  feet  high,  with  gray 
branches,  flowers  in  loose  cymes,  with  blue  anthers  and  blue  fruit. 
April  and  May. 

In  swamps,  Virginia  to  Florida,  westward  to  Missouri. 

406 


SILKY    CORNEL.       KINNIKINNICK.       (CoTftUS   AtHOmUtn) 
(See  page  i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Angelica  Tree.     Hercules'  Club 

Aralia  spinbsa. —  Family,  Ginseng.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
alternate,  compound,  the  leaflets  ovate,  serrate,  acute  at  apex, 
short-petioled,  pale  underneath.  Stem,  stout,  and  with  the 
branches  and  petioles  bearing  spines.  Flowers,  resembling  those 
of  the  Parsley  Family,  and,  like  them,  in  compound  umbels  ter- 
minating the  branches.  Peduncles,  softly  downy.  Fruit,  black. 
June  to  August. 

Low  grounds  near  streams  from  southern  New  York  to 
Florida  and  westward  to  Texas. 

White   Alder.      Sweet   Pepper   Bush.      Alder-leaved 
Clethra 

Clethra  alnifblia.  —  Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
toothed  from  below  the  middle  to  the  apex,  entire  toward  the 
base,  alternate,  sharp -pointed,  ovate  or  wedge -shape.  Calyx, 
of  5  sepals  united  into  a  cup,  which  closes  around  the  ovary. 
Corolla,  of  5  spreading  petals.  Stamens,  10,  of  unequal  length, 
with  arrow-shaped  anthers,  which  are  upright  in  the  bud,  turned 
downward  in  the  flower.  Flowers,  very  fragrant,  almost  too 
sweet,  in  long,  terminal,  erect  spikes,  remaining  long  on  the  bush 
before  withering.  They  are  followed  by  dry,  3 -celled  capsules. 
July  and  August. 

A  beautiful  shrub,  2  to  8  feet  high,  seeking  wet  soil  by  slow 
streams,  massing  in  thickets.  Near  the  coast,  from  New 
England  to  Virginia  and  southward.  (See  illustration,  p. 
409.) 

C,  acuminata  is  a  shrub  or  small  tree,  10  to  20  feet  high,  found 
in  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  southward  to  Georgia.  Leaves,  oval. 
pointed,  finely  toothed,  3  to  7  inches  long,  pale  green  underneath, 
on  rather  short  and  slender  petioles.  Flowers,  in  drooping  ra- 
cemes, with  long  bracts,  sweet-scented. 

Labrador  Tea 

Ledum  groenlandicum. — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
evergreen,  oblong  or  elliptical,  alternate,  entire,  margins  revolute. 
with  reddish  wool  underneath,  on  short  petioles.  Calyx,  5- 
toothed.  Corolla,  of  5  distinct  oblong,  spreading  petals.  Stamens, 
5  to  10.  Style,  white,  turning  red.  Flowers,  in  umbel-like  clus- 
ters terminating  the  branches. 

A  shrub,  2  to  3  feet  high,  whose  leaves  when  crushed  ex- 
hale a  pleasant,  tea-like  fragrance.     The  clusters  of  flowers 

408 


WHITE    ALDER.       SWBE1     PJ  PPBH    Bl     ...        \,.m,k     LEAVED    CLBTHRA 

(<  lethra  alnifolia) 
I  See  page  408) 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

arise  from  the  center  of  a  scaly  bract  which  is  resinous-dotted. 
It  grows  in  moist  woods,  on  hillsides,  in  bogs,  from  New  Eng- 
land to  Pennsylvania  and  northward. 

Fetter  Bush 

Leucothoe  racembsa — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  Leaves, 
lance-shape  to  oblong,  acute,  short-petioled,  minutely  toothed. 
Calyx,  of  5  nearly  separate  sepals,  attended  by  white,  scaly  bracts 
underneath.  Corolla,  united  into  a  tube  below,  5  -  toothed. 
Stamens,  with  awned  anthers.  Fruit,  a  5-celled  capsule.  Flowers, 
nearly  sessile,  in  close,  i-sided  racemes  terminating  the  branches, 
a  few  in  the  axils.     May  and  June. 

A  tall  shrub,  5  to  10  feet  high,  found  in  moist  woods  and 
thickets,  near  the  coast,  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida. 

L.  axillaris. — Color,  white.  Leaves,  thick,  shining,  evergreen, 
petioled.  Flowers,  borne  in  good-sized  racemes,  very  early  in 
spring,  from  February  to  April.      On  banks  of  streams. 

This  and  the  two  following  species  are  found  from  Virginia 
southward. 

L.  Catesbaei  has  pointed,  serrulate,  ovate-lanceolate  leaves,  with 
small,  white  flowers  in  racemes.  About  3  feet  high,  with  spread- 
ing, often  recurved  branches.  The  flowers  have  the  odor  of  chest- 
nut blossoms.     May. 

L.  recurva  is  a  low,  straggling  bush  found  on  dry  hills  of  the 
Alleghanies.  Flowers  and  leaves  similar  to  the  last.  The  species 
may  further  be  distinguished  by  the  anthers  and  stigmas.  In 
this  and  L.  racemosa  the  anthers  are  awned  and  the  stigma  is 
simple.  In  the  other  two  the  stigma  has  5  rays.  These  differences 
may  be  seen  under  the  microscope. 

Mountain  Laurel.     Spoonwood.     Calico-bush 

KMmia  latifblia  (named  from  Peter  Kalm,  a  pupil  of  Linna?us 
and  a  distinguished  botanist). — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white  or 
rose-color.  Leaves,  thick,  evergreen,  alternate,  oblong,  pointed, 
on  short  petioles,  opposite,  scattered  or  clustered.  Calyx,  5- 
parted,  clammy,  covered  with  glutinous  hairs.  Corolla,  first 
tubular,  then  expanding,  wheel  or  umbrella  shape,  with  10 
horn-like  projections  on  the  outside,  in  which  repose  the  10 
anthers  on  white  filaments.  When  they  are  slightly  jarred,  as 
by  a  visiting  insect,  they  spring  up  and  fling  their  pollen  over 
the  insect's  body,  which  thence  flies  to  another  flower  and  rubs 
against  its  pistil,   thus   securing    cross  -  pollination.      Capsule,   5- 

410 


VINES   AND    SHRUB  - 

celled,   many-seeded.      Flowers,  large,   showy,   delightfully   fra- 
grant, in  heavy  corymbose  heads  on  stout  peduncles  from  the 

axils  of   the   leaves,  from  which  also  one  or  more   pairs  of  Oppo- 
site, leafy  branches  spring.      May  and  June. 

Many  regard  this  as  our  most  beautiful  American  shrub. 
The  color  of  the  great  masses  of  flowers  varies  from  white  to 
deep  pink.  The  top-shape  buds  are  of  a  still  deeper  color. 
co-ridged,  the  ridges  meeting  at  the  center.  In  deep  moun- 
tain ravines  it  may  attain  the  height  of  20  feet;  usually  it  is 
4  or  5  feet  high.  It  often  covers  acres  with  a  close  growth  1  >1 
luxuriant,  rich  h  >liage.  We  should  take  pains  in  its  season  1 1 
visit  our  laurel  groves,  where  its  rolls  of  blossoms,  mixed  with 
clumps  of  azalea,  border  a  lake  or  stream,  or  stray  up  a 
mountain-side.  South  of  Pennsylvania  it  often  becomes  a 
small  tree. 

Clammy  Azalea.     White  Swamp  Honeysuckle 

Rhododendron  viscosum.—  Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  L.  1 
alternate,  oblong,  smooth,  except  the  margins  and  midrib,  which 
are  bristly.  Calyx,  small,  5-parted.  Corolla,  tubular,  with  5 
spreading  lobes,  shorter  than  the  clammy,  sticky  tube.  Stamens, 
5,  with  long,  protruding,  red  filaments.  The  anthers  open  by  a 
round,  terminal  pore.  Style,  hairy.  Fruit,  a  5-celled  capsule. 
Flowers,  large,  showy,  deliciously  fragrant,  in  clusters,  which 
grow  from  early  spring  flower -buds  of  numerous,  overlapping 
scales.  6  to  12  blossoms  springing  from  the  same  point,  all  on 
a  short  stalk,  make  a  corymb-like  cluster.  At  the  base  of  each 
flower-stalk  there  are  bract-like  scales.  The  tube  is  beset  with 
clammy,  viscous,  brown  hairs.     June  and  July. 

This  plant  takes  readily  to  cultivation,  and  our  florists 
have  in  bloom  about  Easter  great  pots  of  magnificent  azaleas 
to  mingle  warmth  and  fire  with  the  soft,  pale,  cold,  Baster 
lilies. 

Maine  to  Florida,  not  far  from  the  coast.  Especially  in 
swamps. 

Great  Laurel.     American  Rose-bay 

R.  maximum  has  leaves  thick  and  leathery,  with  still,  turned- 
back  margins,  evergreen,  oblong  or  broadly  elliptical,  glossy 
green  (when  old,  rusty  brown),  4  to  8  inches  long,  on  hollow, 
flattened  petioles.  Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla,  tubular.  Steam  ftS, 
10.     July. 

A  near  relative  to  the  azalea.,  with  great,  broad  bunches  of 
blossoms,  white  or  pink,  the  petals  spotted.     Coroll 

411 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

inches  across.  In  cultivation  the  flower  becomes  very  large, 
and  is  of  white,  yellow,  pink,  and  red  colors,  one  of  the  finest 
shrubs  of  our  gardens.  I  have  found  its  large,  shiny  leaves 
and  showy  blossoms  wild  on  the  borders  of  lakes  in  New  Jer- 
sey. It  is  low  and  spreading,  growing  in  clumps  in  moist, 
cold,  shady  places.  In  the  Southern  States,  where  it  is  more 
common,  it  attains  a  height  of  20  to  25  feet.  Stem  grayish, 
and  leaf -stalks  yellow  or  yellowish  green,  covered  with  a 
hoary  down.  Common  through  the  Alleghanies,  from  New 
Vork  to  Georgia;  rare  in  New  England. 

Water  Andromeda.     Bog  Rosemary 

Andromeda  glaucophylla. — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white,  some- 
times tinted  with  light  pink.  Leaves,  linear  or  lance-shape,  on 
short  petioles,  with  revolute  margins,  thick,  glossy,  evergreen, 
pointed,  white  underneath.  Calyx,  of  5  nearly  separate  divi- 
sions. Corolla,  round,  tubular,  nearly  closing  at  the  mouth, 
5-angled.  Stameyis,  short,  with  divided,  brown  anthers  opening 
in  pores  at  the  top.  Fruit,  a  5-celled,  many-seeded  capsule.  A 
low,  smooth  shrub,  6  to  18  inches  high,  with  terminal  umbels  of 
flowers. 

Linnaeus  himself  named  it  after  the  fabled  Andromeda. 
He  came  across  it  in  Lapland,  and  says: 

"  This  plant  is  always  fixed  on  some  little  turfy  hillock  in 
the  midst  of  the  swamps,  as  Andromeda  herself  was  chained 
to  a  rock  in  the  sea,  which  bathed  her  feet,  as  the  fresh  water 
does  the  roots  of  this  plant.  Dragons  and  venomous  ser- 
pents surrounded  her,  as  toads  and  other  reptiles  frequent 
the  abode  of  her  vegetable  resembler.  ...  As  the  distressed 
virgin  cast  down  her  blushing  face  through  excessive  afflic- 
tion, so  does  this  rosy-colored  flower  hang  its  head,  growing 
paler  and  paler,  till  it  withers  away.  ...  At  length  comes 
Perseus,  in  the  shape  of  summer,  dries  up  the  surrounding 
water,  and  destroys  the  monsters." 

Wet,  boggy  places  in  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  north- 
ward and  westward. 

Stagger-bush 

Lyonta  ma.ria.na.. — Family,  Heath.  Color,  white.  Leaves,  thin, 
oval  or  oblong,  smooth  above,  black-dotted  underneath,  entire,  2 
to  3  inches  long,  revolute  along  the  margins.  Bell-shape  flowers 
like  those  of  Andromeda  hang  in  clusters  along  the  sides  of 
the  almost  leafless  branches  of  the  last  season.     Corolla,  about 

412 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

\  inch  long,  with  5  short  teeth  at  the  summit.     Sometimes  tinted 
with  pale  pink.     Rather  larger  than   flowers  of  the   preceding. 

May  to  July. 

A  low  shrub,   1  to  4  feet  high,  with  uprighl  leaves  and 

branches.     It  is  thought  to  poison  lambs  and  calves  which 
browse  upon  its  tender  leaves.     In  sandy  soil  and  low  gn  >unds 
near  the  coast,  Rhode  Island  to  Florida,  westward  to  Tei 
see  and  Arkansas. 

Male   Berry.      Privet  Andromeda 

L.  ligustrma. — A  taller  shrub  than  the  last,  3  to  12  feet  high. 
Flowers^  small,  roundish,  numerous,  crowded  in  terminal  com- 
pound racemes.  Leaves,  entire,  or  with  very  minute  teeth,  in- 
versely ovate,  acute  at  each  end.     June  and  July. 

Swamps  and  wet  thickets,  from  New  England  t<  1  Florida  and 
westward. 

Leather  Leaf.     Dwarf  Cassandra 

Chamaedaphne    calyculata.  —  Family,      Heath.       Color,     white. 
Leaves,    evergreen,   leathery,  resinous  -  dotted,   and    when    \ 
covered  with  scurfy  scales,  small,   \  to   i\  inches  long,  oblong, 
some  of  them  lance-shape,  with  a  few  minute  teeth,  the  upper 
ones,    especially    those    among    the    flowers,  reduced    to    ■ 
Calyx,  of  5  stiff,  rigid   sepals.     Corolla,   tubular,    cylindrical,    5- 
toothed.     Stamens,    10,   anthers  opening  by  a  hole   at    the 
Capsule,  5-celled.     The   sprays   of  waxen-white,  close,  bell-shape 
flowers   droop  upon  slender  pedicels  springing  from  the  axils  of 
the  small,  upper  leaves.     April  and  May. 

New  England  bogs  and  New  Jersey  barrens,  southward  to 
Georgia,  westward   to    Minnesota,    Wisconsin,   and    Illinois. 
A  shrub,  3  to  12  feet  high,  much  branched,  erect,  with 
slender  branches. 

Cassandra,  daughter  of  Priam  and  Hecuba,  was  a  beautiful 
prophetess.  One  of  the  legends  connected  with  her  is  that 
she  and  her  brother,  while  asleep  in  the  sanctuary  of  Apollo, 
had  their  hearing  changed  so  that  they  could  understand  the 
voices  of  birds.  Because  Cassandra  refused  to  obey  the  god 
Apollo,  he  ordained  that  her  prophecies  should  meet  with  no 
belief.  Therefore,  when  she  predicted  the  ruin  <»t"  Troy,  the 
indignant  Trojans  shut  her  up  in  a  mad-house.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  414.) 

Bearberry 

Ardostaphytos  Uva-iirsi  (name  from  the  Greek,  meaning  '  bear 
and  a  bunch  of  grapes.      Why  grouped  in  a  name  is  unexplained). 

4  I 3 


dwarf   cassandra    ( C  ham  cb  daphne  calyculata) 
(See  page  413) 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

— Family,  Heath.  Color,  white,  or  sometimes  tinged  with  pink. 
Leaves,  alternate,  thick,  evergreen,  broader  at  apex,  narrowing  at 
base,  entire,  small,   smooth,   dark   green    on    both      id  Calyx, 

5-parted.  Corolla,  urn-shape,  with  5  short  teeth,  turning  back- 
ward. Stamens,  10;  anthers  with  minute  bristles  near  the  top, 
opening  by  terminal  pores.  Fruit,  a  red,  berry-like  drupe,  with 
5  to  10  bony  seeds.  These  berries  make  winter  food  for  1 
Flowers,  in  a  raceme  on  the  ends  of  trailing  stems,  with  scaly 
bracts  underneath.     May. 

A  trailing  shrub,  6  to  24  inches  long,  in  dry,  sandy,  <~>r  rocky 
soil,  from  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  northward  into  the 
arctic  regions,  westward  to  Missouri.  (Sec  illustration,  p. 
416.) 

Alpine  Bearberry 

A.  alpina.. — This  is  a  tufted,  dwarf  species,  with  black,  edible 
fruit.  Found  in  New  England  and  farther  north  upon  Alpine 
summits. 

Deerberry.      Squaw  Huckleberry 

Vacctnium  stamineum — Family,  Heath.  Color,  greenish  white, 
or  with  a  purplish  tinge.  Leaves,  oval  or  ovate,  pointed  at  apex, 
round  or  slightly  obtuse  at  base,  smooth,  with  short  petioles,  pale 
green  underneath,  1  to  4  inches  long.  Calyx,  5-toothed,  clinging 
to  the  ovary  and  forming  a  berry  with  a  5-rayed  star  at  the 
top,  as  in  Gaylussacias.  Corolla,  bell-shape,  open.  Stamens,  8 
or  10,  with  the  style  protruding.  Floivers,  on  long  pedicels, 
drooping,  numerous  near  the  tops  of  branches,  with  many  leaves, 
forming  racemes.  Fruit,  a  large  greenish  or  yellowish,  few- 
seeded,  pear-shaped  berry,  scarcely  edible. 

A  shrub,  2  to  5  feet  high,  found  in  dry  woods  from  Maine 
to  Florida  and  westward. 

Farkleberry 

V,  arboreum. — A  Southern  species,  becoming  a  small  tree,  from 
6  to  30  feet  high,  with  oval  or  ovate,  entire,  pointed,  glossy  leaves % 
evergreen  in  the  far  South.  Corolla,  bell -shape,  white,  the 
style  but  not  the  stamens  protruding.  Flowers,  drooping,  on 
slender  pedicels,  in  leafy  racemes.  Berries,  black,  many-seeded, 
mealy,  not  edible.     May  and  June. 

In  sandy  soil,  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky.  Called  Spar- 
kleberry. 

Blueberry 
V.  virgktvm Color,   white   or   light    pink.      (See   under   Pink- 
Shrubs,  p.  444.) 

27  4i5 


bearberry    (A  rctosta phylos   Uva-ursi) 
(See  page  413) 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Low  Sweet  Blueberry.     Early  Sweet  Blueberry 
V.  Pennsylvania: m.      Color,  white  or  pinkish.     Leaves,  Lance- 
shape  or  oblong,  with   fine,  small   teeth,  pointed   .it    both   i 
small,  downy  <>n  the  veins  underneath,  smooth  ab  >>>lla, 

bell-shape,  long,  smaller  at    the  mouth,  with  style  slightly  pro- 
truding.    Berries,   a   rather   Lighl    blue,    with   a    whitish    bloom, 
very  sweet,  found  clustered  on  the  ends  of  the  branches.    Brat 
irregular   and    angular,  smooth,   with    lighl    green,   white-dotted 
bark.     May  and  June. 

Our  earliest  and  sweetest  blueberry.  A  low,  straggling 
shrub,  6  to  20  inches  high,  found  in  dry,  sterile  soil,  in  woods, 
fields,  and  barrens,  from  Newfoundland  to  Virginia  and 
westward.     Berries  ripe  in  June  and  July. 

Sour-top  or  Velvet-le^.f  Blueberry.     Canada  Blueberry 

V.  canadense. — A  species  in  which  the  berries   ripen  later  than 

the  last,  July  and   August.     Leaves,   elliptical   or  Lance-shape, 

downy  on  both  sides.     Flowers,  few,  in  clusters  or  racemes  on  the 

naked  branches,  small,  on  short  pedicels.     May  and  June. 

A  low  shrub,  6  to  20  inches  high,  found  in  moisl  woods  or 

swamps  or  dry  fields  from  New  England  southward  along 
the  mountains  to  Virginia. 

Late  Low  Blueberry 

V,  <vacttlans. — A  shrub  10  to  36  inches  high,  with  berries  ripen- 
ing late,  July  and  August.  Flowers  and  leaves  much  like  t In- 
preceding  species.  Berries  with  a  bloom.  Flowers,  small,  thick- 
ly clustered,  bell-shape.     Often  pinkish  in  color. 

Swamp  Blueberry.     Tall  Blueberry.     High  Bush  Blue- 
berry 

V.  corymbosum. — Color,  white  or  with  a  pink   tint.      The   finest 
of  the  genus.     Leaves,   large,    dark   i^vm    paler   beneath,    oval, 
pointed,  entire.     Flowers  and  fruit,  on  short    peduncles  in  I 
clusters,  borne  on  short  branches  which  are  the  growth  of  the 
previous  year;    1  or  2  yellowish  bracts  at   the  base  of  each. 

Growing  in  swamps,  6  to  15  feet  high,  bearing  great  quan- 
tities of  fruit,  often  half  a  bushel  on  a  single  bush.  Berries 
mature  in  August.  Less  often  found  m  dry  thickets,  when 
the  fruit  is  not  so  fine.      North  of  Virginia,  and  westward 

Storax 
Styrax   grandifblia.  —  Family,    Storax.      Color,    white. 
large,  2  to  0  inches  long,  smooth,  dark  green  above,  pale,  softly 

A  '7 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

downy  underneath,  inversely  ovate  or  oval,  dentate,  with  a  woolly 
petiole.  Corolla,  generally  5-parted,  downy.  Calyx,  5-toothed. 
Stamens,  twice  as  many  as  the  lobes  of  the  corolla.  Fruit,  round, 
with  calyx  adhering.     Flowers,  in  long,  loose  racemes,  showy. 

Shrub  5  to  12  feet  high,  found  in  woods  from  Virginia  to 
Florida.     Whole  plant  softly  tomentose. 

S.  pwverulenta  is  a  smaller  shrub  with  narrower  leaves  than  the 
last.  Leaves,  mostly  entire-margined,  quite  rough  and  scurfy 
underneath.  Flowers,  large,  wheel  -  shape,  fragrant,  white,  in 
pairs  or  threes  borne  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves  near  the  tips  of 
the  branches. 

Two  to  4  feet  high.  Pine  barrens,  Virginia  to  Florida  and 
Texas. 

S.  americkna  is  the  tallest  of  the  genus,  4  to  10  feet,  with  smaller 
blossoms  and  smoother  foliage  than  the  last.  Leaves,  bright  green 
above  and  below.  Flowers,  generally  single,  drooping,  in  the 
leaf-axils. 

A  Southern  species,  Virginia  to  Florida  and  along  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  northward  to  Illinois. 

Old  Man's  Beard.     Fringe  Tree 

Chionanthus  <virginica. — Family,  Olive.  Color,  white.  Leaves 
entire,  oval,  acute,  petioled,  somewhat  thick.  Calyx,  4-parted, 
small.  Petals,  4,  united  at  base,  long,  narrow,  thread-like. 
Flowers,  panicled,  drooping,  the  long,  wavy  petals  giving  the 
whole  shrub  or  small  tree  a  soft  and  delicate  appearance  when  in 
blossom,  in  May  and  June.     Fruit,  a  purple  drupe. 

Banks  of  streams  from  New  Jersey  to  Texas.  Often  culti- 
vated. 

Privet 

Ltgustrum  coulgare — Family,  Olive — is  the  common  privet  used 
largely  for  hedges.  It  is  easily  grown,  endures  considerable  cold ; 
with  its  profuse  branching  and  small,  bright  green  leaves,  makes 
one  of  the  best  of  hedge  plants.  Its  white  flowers,  coming  early 
and  late,  have  a  disagreeable  odor,  and  are  usually  pruned  off 
when  in  bud. 

Indian  Hemp 

Apocynwn  cannabium. —  Family,  Dogbane.  Color,  greenish 
white.  Leaves,  oblong,  those  near  the  ends  of  branches  almost 
lance -shape,  with  short  petioles  or  none,  pale  green,  slightly 
downy  beneath,  tipped  with  a  sharp  point,  opposite.     Calyx, 

418 


VINES   AND   SIIKi 

5-parted,  its  lobes  nearly  as  long  a  tho  e  ol  the  deeply  parted 
corolla.     Flowers,   not   expanding,   bell-shape.     At    the    ba  1 

the  corolla,  opposite  its  lobes,  alternate  with  the 

5  triangular  appendages.      Fruit,  2  slender  pods  3  or  i  1:. 

Flowers  in  cymose  clusters,   with   pedicels,    terminal   or  axillary. 

The  central  cyme  is  first  in  bloom.     June  to  August. 

A  common  and  variable  shrub,  growing  Of)  banks  of  streams, 
or  smaller  and  more  spreading  on  sea-beaches;  sometimes 
found  in  drier  soil.  New  England  to  Florida  and  across  the 
continent. 

Wild    Potato    Vine.      Man-of-the-Earth 

loomoea  pandurkta. — Family,  Convolvulus.  Color,  white  with 
purple  stripes  and  sometimes  purple  center.     Leaves,   roundish, 

heart  -  shape  at  base,  pointed,  with  long  petioles,  entire,  the 
later  ones  sometimes  3-lobed.  Corolla,  open,  funnel-form,  the 
limb  5-divided  by  folds  down  the  places  of  division  and  points 
in  the  middle,  2  to  3  inches  long.  Flowers,  1  to  5,  on  peduncles 
which  are  longer  than  the  petioles.     June  to  September. 

A  trailing  or  twining  vine,  with  long,  stout  stems,  resem- 
bling the  morning  glory.  Root  tuberous,  very  large,  giving 
the  plant  one  of  its  common  names,  man-of-the-earth.  Dry 
ground,  fields  and  hills,  Connecticut  to  Florida  and  west- 
ward. 

Field  Bindweed 

Convolvulus  arvensis. — Family,  Convolvulus.     Color,  whit 
with  a  pink  tinge.     Leaves,  small,  1  to  2  inches  long,  arrow-shape 
at   base,  the  basal  lobes  pointed,  diverging,  on   slender  peti 
shorter  than  the  peduncles.      Corolla,  funnel-form,  its  limb  plaited, 
distinctly  divided  into  5  lobes.     Flowers,  usually  in  pairs,  some- 
times   single,   on    slender   peduncles   on   which   are    2   or  3  small 
bracts,  and  perhaps    1    more  on  one  of  the  pedicels.     Bloss* 
small,  about  1  inch  across.      May  to  September. 

A  trailing  or  twining  vine  from  a  perennial  rootstock.  be- 
coming a  weed  near  the  coast.  Flowers  open  with  sunlight 
and  close  at  night.  In  waste  grounds  and  dry  fields,  from 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,   westward   and   northward. 

Hedge  Bindweed 

C,  septum,  —  Color,  white  or  light  pink.  Flower,  larger  than 
the  last,  about  2  inches  across.     It  may  further  be  distinguished 

by   two   large,    leafy   hraets   tinder   the   ealyx.       Flowers,   single,   «>n 

long,  slender  peduncles  which  are  4-angled.     Lecnx  t,  triangular, 

1  o, 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

halberd  -  shape  at  base,  the  lobes  spreading,  acute,  sometimes  a 
little  toothed.     June  to   September. 

A  smooth-stemmed  vine,  3  to  10  feet  long,  trailing  or 
twining,  or  matting  on  the  ground  if  it  cannot  climb;  but 
it  prefers  to  rise  into  the  light  by  the  aid  of  small  bushes  and 
herbs.  It  spreads  very  fast  by  means  of  running  rootstocks, 
in  moist  soil  along  the  coast  or  banks  of  rivers,  helping  to 
thicken  the  growth  of  thickets  which  are  made  wherever 
small  streams  feed  the  roots  with  perpetual  moisture.  New 
England  to  North  Carolina  and  westward. 

Var.  pubescens  is  low  and  trailing,  1  to  3  feet  long,  often  lying 
on  the  ground,  with  branches  and  leaves  softly  downy.  Flowers, 
white,  rarely  pink.  Leaves,  1  to  2  inches  long,  long-petioled, 
triangular  in  shape,  not  much  indented  at  the  stalk,  but  slightly 
heart-shape,  the  lobes  acute.     May  to  August. 

Common.      Virginia  to  Florida  and  westward. 
Buttonbusb.     Riverbush 

Cephalanthus    occidentalis Family,     Madder.      Color,     white. 

Leaves,  opposite  or  in  threes,  with  short  stipules  between,  oval 
or  broadly  lance  -  shape,  3  to  5  inches  long,  on  channeled  peti- 
oles, entire,  but  wavy-margined,  pointed,  bright  green  above, 
paler  below.  Calyx-tube,  4-lobed.  Corolla,  a  slender  tube,  hairy 
within,  4-parted,  at  first  white,  then  brown,  its  lobes  tipped  with 
black.  Stamens,  fastened  to  the  tube  of  the  corolla.  Pistil,  long, 
extending  far  out  of  the  flower,  with  a  button-like  stigma.  Flow- 
ers, gathered  into  a  close  head,  1  inch  in  diameter,  around  a  fleshy 
receptacle,  the  head  long-peduncled,  springing  from  the  leaf-axils. 
July  and  August. 

This  bush  has  unusually  strong  roots  and  grows  beside 
ponds  and  streams,  often  quite  in  water,  its  lowest  stems 
being  immersed.  Height,  5  to  10  feet.  Bark  rough,  gray, 
spotted  on  the  older  stems.  A  handsome  shrub,  common; 
much  prized  and  cultivated  in  Europe. 

Tartarian  Honeysuckle 

Lonicera  tariarica,  —  Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  white  or 
light  pink.  Calyx,  tubular,  with  5  short  teeth.  Corolla,  funnel- 
form,  with  the  border  deeply  5-lobed,  three  of  the  lobes  rather 
larger  than  the  other  two.  Bracts  underneath  the  flowers  long 
and  narrow.  Flowers,  in  pairs  from  the  axils  of  one  of  two  op- 
posite leaves.     Fruit,  deep  orange  or  red  berries,  united  at  base. 

420 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Leaves,  thin,  ovate,  slightly  heart-shape  at  base,  acute  or  ol 
at  apex.     May  and  June. 

A  species  escaped  from  cultivation,  now  become  wild  in 
sheltered,  often   rocky  places,   from    Maine   to  Me 
and  westward  to  Kentucky.     Other  species  will  be  found  in 
the  Yell<  >w  Group. 

Snowberry 

SymphoricArpos  racemdsus.  -Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  whit- 
ish. Calyx,  swollen  at  base,  with  5  short  teeth.  Corolla,  hell- 
shape,  the  limb  with  5  spreading  lobes  bearded  inside.  Stamens, 
4  or  5,  joined  to  the  corolla.  Fruit,  a  snow-white,  waxy  berry. 
Flowers,  one  or  two,  or  a  lew  clustered  in  the  axils.  1  .< 
elliptical  or  broad  in  the  middle,  opposite,  short-petioled.  June 
to  August. 

Rocky  shores  and  dry  river-banks.  A  shrub,  low  and 
branched,    under  4    feet    in   height.     Often   cultivated,   but 

native  in  the  northern  States. 

Hobble-bush.     Witch  Hobble.     Moosewood 

Viburnum    alnifblium Family,     Honeysuckle.      Color,    white. 

Calyx,  5-toothed.  Corolla,  5dobed.  Stamens,  5.  Stigmas,  3. 
Flowers,  like  those  of  the  garden  hydrangea,  arranged  in  flat 
cymes,  those  around  the  border  neutral,  without  stamens  and 
pistils,  with  large,  flat  corollas.  Fruit,  a  crimson  drupe,  becom- 
ing darker  when  ripe.  The  winter  leaf-buds  are  without  cover- 
ing. Leaves,  opposite,  nearly  orbicular,  serrate,  pinnately  veined, 
slightly  heart-shape  at  base,  pointed  at  apex,  with  short  peti 
unevenly  divided  by  the  midrib,  rusty-scurfy  along  the  . 
underneath. 

A  shrub,  reaching  the  height  <>f  10  feet,  with  purplish  bark. 
Pound  in  cold,  wet  woods,  from  New  England  to  North 
Carolina,  where  it  ascends  into  the  mountains.  The  lower. 
drooping  branches  often  take  root,  making  loops  to  trip  up 
the  careless  pedestrian. 

Cranberry   Tree.     High  Bush  Cranberry.     Pimbina 

V.  Opulus,  var.  americanum.  Color,  white  Flowers,  in  cymes 
like  the  last,  those  along  the  margin  with  broad,  tl.it  corolla- 
lobes,  neutral,  the  cymes  j  to  4  inches  across.  Fruit,  round  or 
oval,  bright  red  drupes,  edible,  -our.  like  cranberries,  whence 
name.  Height,  1  o  feet  or  less.  Leaves,  ;  lobed,  strongly  palmate- 
ly  veined,  truncate  at  base,  the  lobes  coarsely  toothed  near  I 

421 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

apex,  smooth  or  with  a  few  hairs  along  the  veins  underneath, 
petioled,  opposite.     Two  glands  appear  at  the  top  of  the  petioles. 

Found  along  streams  and  in  woods  from  Maine  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  westward.  Cultivated  and  all  the  flowers  made 
into  showy,  neutral  blossoms,  this  shrub  becomes  the  garden 
snowball  tree,  or  guelder  rose.  In  this  case  the  cyme  becomes 
a  ball. 

Dockmackie.     Arrow-wood 

V.  acerifdlium. — Color,  white.  In  this  species  the  -flowers  are 
all  perfect,  none  being  neutral  and  larger  than  the  others.  They 
make  a  cluster,  or  cyme,  with  long  peduncles,  each  flower  pedi- 
celled,  the  cyme  i  h  to  3  inches  across.  Fruit,  a  drupe,  first  crim- 
son, then  turning  a  bluish  black.  Leaves,  opposite,  broadly  tri- 
angular, 3-lobed,  palmately  veined,  lobes  pointed,  spreading, 
coarsely  and  deeply  toothed,  downy  on  both  sides  when  young, 
petioled,  with  bristly  stipules.  Very  deep  crimson  in  fall.  May 
and  June. 

A  shrub,  3  to  6  feet  high,  with  grayish,  slender  branches, 
found  in  cool,  thin  woods,  along  roadsides,  in  dry  soil,  in  all 
the  Atlantic  States  to  North  Carolina,  and  westward. 
Withe-rod.     Wild  Raisin.     Appalachian  Tea 

V,  cassinotdes. — Color,  white.  Flowers,  many,  making  large, 
compound,  terminal  cymes,  peduncled,  slightly  fragrant.  Leaves, 
thick,  oval  or  oblong,  mostly  entire,  4  to  9  inches  long,  narrow- 
ing at  base  into  a  short  petiole,  pointed  at  apex,  scurfy  on  the 
upper  surface.  Fruit,  pink  at  first,  then  blue  black,  with  a  bloom. 
June  and  July. 

A  shrub  from  3  to   12  feet  high,  with  grayish  branches, 
found  in  swamps  or  moist  woods,   or  along  the  banks  of 
streams,  from  Maine  to  North  Carolina  and  westward. 
Downy  Arrow-wood 

V.  pubescens Color,  white.     Flowers,  all  perfect,   in   cymes, 

with  peduncles.  Fruit,  almost  black.  Leaves,  ovate,  rather  broad, 
coarsely  dentate,  pinnately  veined,  the  veins  ending  in  the  teeth, 
very  downy  on  the  under  sides,  somewhat  hairy  above,  on  short 
petioles  or  none,  1  \  to  3  inches  long.     June  and  July. 

A  species  found  in  rocky  ground,   limestone  ridges  and 
banks,  from  Maine  to  Georgia  and  westward,  common  among 
the  Alleghany  Mountains.     2  to  5  feet  high. 
Arrow-wood 

V.  dentktum — Color,  white.  Flowers,  all  perfect,  in  flat  cymes, 
peduncled,   2   to  3   inches  broad.     Leaves,    pale  green,    broadly 

422 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

ovate,  coarsely  and  sharply  toothed,  with   prominent,  straight 
veins,  somewhat  heart-shape  at  base,  pointed  at  apex,  on 

der  petioles.      Hairy  tufts  till  the  axils.      May  and  June. 

A  tall  shrub,  5  to  15  feet  high,  with  grayish  hark,  common 
in  wet  soil  from  Maine  to  Georgia,  wist  ward  to  western 
New  York.      Fruit  a  small  drupe,  blue  or  bla- 

Black  Haw.      Stag-bush.      Sloe 
V.  pruni folium. — A  shrub  or  small   tree,  with   ]l<rurrs    ii. 

pound,   sessile  cymes,   2   to  4   inches  broad.      Leaves,   small,  oval, 

petioled,    finely   serrate,    lower   surface    smooth.      Fruit,   a    black, 

oval  drupe,  sweet,  and  edible. 

Found  in  moist  or  dry  soil  from  Massachusetts  t<>  Florida, 

westward  to  Michigan. 

Elder.     Elderberry 

Sambucus    canadensis Family,    Honeysuckle.     Color,    white. 

Calyx,  tubular,  with  very  small  teeth.  Corolla,  urn-shape,  with 
5  spreading  lobes  at  the  top.  Stamens,  5,  joined  to  the  1>:< 
the  corolla.  Stigmas,  3.  Flowers,  in  large,  flat  cymes  on  a  long 
peduncle.  Fruit,  a  deep  purple  drupe.  Leaves,  compound,  with 
5  to  7  leaflets,  pointed,  serrate,  some  3-divided.  Stem,  scarcely 
woody,  and  young  branches  filled  with  pith.     June  and  July. 

A  showy  plant,  with  soft,  misty  flowers,  followed  by  swi 
ish  black  berries.     The  berries  have  medicinal  properties,  and 
are  made  into  elderberry  wine.     When  bruised   the  Leaves 
have  an  unpleasant  odor.     Found  in  wet  soil,  beside  streams, 
along  roadsides,  from  New  England  to   Florida  and   wi 
ward. 

Red-berried  Elder 

5.  racemosa. — Taller  than  the   last,  witli  warty  hark.      Flo\ 
in  panicled  clusters,  small,  turning  brown  when  dried.      /-- 
pinnate,    5    to    7    leaflets,    ovate    t<-    lance  -  shape,    finely    Ben 
petioled,  opposite,  pointed,  the  midrib  sometimes  one  side  of  the 
middle  at  base.     Fruit,  bright  red.     Stem,  tilled  with  brown  pith. 
May. 

Rocky  woods  and  open  places,  from  New  England  to 
Florida  and  westward.      Fruit  ripe  in  June. 

One-seeded  Bur  Cucumber 
Stcyos  angulatus Family,  Gourd.     Color,  whitish. 

of  two  kinds,  the  pistillate  in  roundish,  peduncled  heads;    stami- 
nate,  in  corymbs  or  clusters  from  the  same  leaf-axils  on  very  long 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

peduncles.  Petals,  5,  large,  united  below,  with  spreading  border. 
Stigmas,  3.  Style,  1.  Fruit,  a  prickly,  bur-like  receptacle  for  a 
single  seed.  The  prickles  can  be  pulled  off  without  breaking 
open  the  "cucumber."  Leaves,  roundish,  broad,  deeply  heart- 
shape  at  base,  5-lobed  or  angled,  the  lobes  very  acute,  margin 
wavy,  toothed,  sometimes  10  inches  across. 

A  plant,  climbing  by  means  of  3-forked  tendrils.  Hairy, 
not  pretty,  sometimes  a  weed  in  shaded  yards.  The  fruit  of 
tli is  Family  is  called  a  pcpo.  The  melon,  squash,  cucumber, 
pumpkin  and  gourd  are  examples. 

Dr.  Coulter,  speaking  of  a  section  in  Indiana,  says:  "The 
single-seeded  cucumber  mats  all  bushes  and  vegetation  with- 
in 10  feet  of  its  roots  into  a  thicket,  or  climbs  up  a  neighbor- 
ing tree  to  the  distance  of  63  feet." 

Wild  Balsam-apple 

Echinocystis  lobkta  (name  means  "hedgehog"  and  "bladder," 
from  the  swollen,  prickly  fruit). — Family,  Gourd.  Color,  greenish 
white.  Staminate  and  pistillate  flowers,  separate,  springing  from 
the  same  leaf-axils,  the  former  in  compound  racemes,  often  1  foot 
long,  the  latter  generally  single,  sometimes  in  pairs.  Fruit,  fleshy, 
oval,  2  inches  long,  covered  with  weak,  slender  prickles.  Corolla , 
deeply  5 -parted,  united  at  base  into  a  tube.  Calyx,  tubular. 
Ovary,  2-celled,  2  seeds  in  each  cell.  Leaves,  thin,  deeply  5-lobed, 
the  lobe  pointed,  the  margins  distantly  toothed,  on  petioles  1  to 
3  inches  long.     July  to  October. 

A  smooth-stemmed,  tall  climber,  reaching  a  height  of  25 
feet,  climbing  by  means  of  3-forked  tendrils.  Found  in  wet 
soil,  as  along  rivers,  from  western  New  England  to  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Often  cultivated  as  a  veranda  climber. 

Marsh  Elder.     Highwater  Shrub 

Lva  oraria. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  greenish  white.  Pis- 
tillate  and  staminate  flowers  in  the  same  head,  the  pistillate  along 
the  margin.  Heads  terminating  the  branches,  forming  long,  leafy 
panicles,  the  narrow,  bract-like  leaves  longer  than  the  heads. 
Leaves,  those  below,  opposite,  fleshy,  oval  or  lance-shape,  coarsely 
toothed,  3-nerved,  short-petioled  or  sessile.     July  to  September. 

Not  a  true  shrub,  but  with  shrubby  stem  at  base.  Reach- 
ing a  height  of  12  to  15  feet.  Found  along  the  coast  in  salt 
marshes  and  along  muddy  shores,  from  Maine  to  Florida  and 
westward  to  Texas.  The  plant  becomes  more  shrubby  in 
the  far  South. 

424 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Groundsel  Tree 

Baccharis    halimifolia.   -Family,     Composite.      Coloft     whil 
sometimes  with  a  yellow  <>r  purple  tint.     1  ■  i 
tapering  at    the  base  to  short   petiol< 
toothed;    those  on   the   main   stem   and   Large   branch 
toothed,  thosr  above  and  on  the  small  branches  entire. 
all  tubular,  collected  in  Loose  heads,  pistillate  and   itaminafc 
different  plants,  the  brads  i  i<>  5  in  a  panicle,  011  peduncles,  ter- 
minating  the   branches.     Corolla,    in    the   fertile    '  long, 
narrow,  thread-like;   in  the  staminate,  broader,  5-lobed. 

After  the  plant  has  gone  to  seed,  the  pappus  <»!'  the  fertile 
flowers  becomes  l"ng,  full,  and  plum. -so.  giving  the  shrub  a 
conspicuous,  hoary  look  in  late  autumn.  It  is  a  light-col 
bush,  6  to  15  feet  high,  the  only  true  shrub  among  the  Com- 
posites, found  growing  plentifully  in  marine  marshes  and 
along  sea-beaehes  from  Massachusetts  to  Florida  and  T( 

VINES    AND   SHRUBS    WITH    YELLOW    OH    YELLOWISH    BLOS 

Wild  Yam-root 

Dioscorea  evillbsa. — Family,  Yam.  Color,  pale  greenish  yellow. 
Flowers,  of  two  kinds,  the  staminate  with  3  or  6  stamens  and  im- 
parted perianth;  pistillate,  with  a  3-celled  ovary  which  becomes, 
in  fruit,  a  3-valved,  3-winged  capsule.  Fertile  flowers  hang  in 
drooping  racemes;  staminate,  in  long,  drooping  panicles,  3  to  6 
inches  long;  all  from  the  axils.  Leavt  .  petioled,  opposite  or  in 
whorls  of  fours,  broad,  heart-shape  at  base,  very  acute  at  apex, 
9  to  n-nerved,  thin,  2  to  6  inches  long.     June  and  July. 

Among  the  twining  vines  which  make  dense  thickets  this  is 
our  only  member  of  the  Yam  Family.     Mosl  of  the  S] 

tropical,  of  which  four  form  a  staple  article  of  food  for  the 
half-civilized  peoples  of  Africa  and  Malaysia.  The  fleshy 
rootstocks  arc  eaten  baked,  b.  tiled,  <  \T  fried.  These  1  ilanl 
cultivated  in  Japan,  Siam.  and  the  East  Indies.  P.  vill 
our  Species,  has  a  large,  tuberous  root.  It  is  found  in  damp 
thickets  from  Rhode  Island  to  Florida,  and  westward  to 
Texas.  4,000  feet  high  in  Virginia.  Fruit  remains  on  the 
vines  all  winter. 

American  Mistletoe 

Phoradendron  fla<vesccns.     "Family,  Mistletoe.     Color 

yellowish;   of   berries,   white.     Leaves,  opposite,  leathery,   thick, 

i-ribbed,  entire,  oval  <>r  oblong,  blunt,  with  short    petioles,    1    to 

2  inches  long.     Staminate  flowers,  composed  of  .1  3-lobed  calyx, 

1  '  5 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

and  i  stamen  at  the  base  of  each  lobe  with  a  2 -celled  sessile 
anther.  Pistillate  flowers,  a  single  berry-like  ovary,  surrounded 
by  a  3-lobed  calyx.  Fruit,  a  fleshy  berry.  Flowers,  in  axillary 
clusters.     May  to  July. 

Shrubs  parasitic  on  trees,  especially  the  tupelo  and  red 
maple,  from  central  New  Jersey  southward.  The  mistletoe 
sold  so  much  on  our  city  streets  at  Christmas  time  is  Viscum 
album,  imported  from  England.  It  grows  on  many  fruit  and 
forest  trees,  especially  the  apple  tree,  being  not  specially 
injurious  to  them,  the  Lombardy  poplar  alone  being  exempt. 
It  bears  yellow  flowers  in  February  or  March,  and  ripens  fruit 
the  next  autumn.  Bird-lime  is  derived  from  the  viscid  pulp 
of  the  berries.  Birds  are  the  propagators  of  this  parasite, 
since  they  eat  the  berries  and  wipe  their  bills  upon  the 
branches  of  trees,  leaving  a  seed  to  germinate.  It  was  held 
sacred  by  the  ancient  Druids  when  found,  as  it  seldom  is, 
growing  upon  an  oak. 

Dwarf  Mistletoe 

Arceuthobium  pusillum. — Family,  Mistletoe.  Color,  flowers  so 
small  as  scarcely  to  display  color.  The  plant  is  less  than  1  inch 
long,  consisting  of  roundish,  somewhat  branched,  fleshy,  smooth, 
yellowish-brown  or  greenish  stems  scattered  over  the  host-plant, 
like  excrescences.  Flowers,  when  examined  under  the  magnifying- 
glass,  are  seen  to  be  of  two  kinds,  the  staminate  with  a  2  to  5- 
parted  fleshy  calyx,  with  an  equal  number  of  stamens,  an  anther 
sessile  on  each  lobe,  opening  by  a  round  slit;  pistillate  flowers, 
with  a  2 -parted  calyx.     Fruit,  a  fleshy,  ovoid  berry. 

Found  on  certain  deciduous  trees,  especially  pine  and 
larch,  sometimes  making  "  witches'  brooms,"  on  these  trees 
at  low  altitudes,  from  New  Jersey  to  Florida  and  westward. 

Common  Barberry 

Berberis  vulgaris. — Family,  Barberry.  Color,  yellow.  Leaves, 
alternate,  bristly  toothed,  inversely  ovate,  in  tufts,  springing 
from  the  axils  of  branched  spines.  From  the  center  of  the  rosette 
of  leaves  drooping  racemes  of  flowers  spring.  Sepals  and  petals, 
6.  Bractlets  below  the  sepals.  Stamens,  6.  Pistil,  1.  Fruit, 
a  long,  acid  berry,  containing  one  or  two  hard  seeds.  They  are 
often  preserved,  and  make  a  refreshing  drink.     May  and  June. 

The  stamens  are  curiously  sensitive.  Kolreuter  was  the 
first  to  discover  the  fact  that  when  the  filaments  are  touched 
the  anthers  bend  toward  the  pistil  and  come  in  contact  with 

426 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

its  stigma,  straightening  up  again  soon  after.      This  phenom- 
enon is  best  seen  in  dry  weather.      It  is  a  device  to  secure 

cross-pollination,  a  visit  from  an  insect  causing  the  anthers 
to  shed  their  pollen  upon  its  body,  to  be  bonu-  to  another 
flower.  The  barberry  is  supposed  to  be  injurious  to  wheat. 
being  invested  with  a  mildew  {Aecidium  berberidis),  which  in 
a  different  form  becomes  the  rust  (Urcdo)  of  wheat.  A  law 
in  Massachusetts  once  compelled  farmers  who  cultivated 
wheat  to  cut  down  all  barberry  bushes  near  their  fields. 
To  those  not  interested  in  wheat  cultivation,  the  yellow 
racemes  of  flowers  and  scarlet  fruit  of  the  barberry  make  it  a 
welcome  attendant  of  our  drives,  found,  as  it  is,  in  expi 
situations  bordering  woods  and  fields.  Its  range  is  through- 
out New  England,  as  far  north  as  Canada  and  Newfoundland. 
It  keeps  near  the  coast,  in  gravelly  soil.  Shrub  5  to  8  feet 
high,  with  grayish  bark.  It  has  been  planted  with  sm 
for  hedges.      It  is  used  to  tan  leather  and  for  a  yellow  dye. 

American  Barberry 

B.  canadensis. — Color,  yellow.  Leaves,  wavy-margined,  toothed, 
not  so  bristly  as  the  last.  Flowers,  in  racemes,  few,  with  petals 
notched  at  apex.     June. 

A  shrub  or  small  tree  found  in  swamps  of  Virginia  and 
southward. 

Fever  Bush.     Spice   Bush.     Benjamin   Bush.     Wild 
Allspice 

Benzoin  a.esti<vkle. — Family,  Laurel.  Color,  greenish  yellow. 
Leaves,  alternate,  2  to  5  inches  long,  broad  above  the  middle, 
pointed  at  apex,  tapering  to  the  base,  short-petioled,  entire,  the 
midrib  often  dividing  the  leaf  unequally,  revolute  and  softly 
hairy  along  the  margin,  pale  beneath,  spicy  and  aromatic  in  odor 
and  taste.  Stamens  and  pistils  in  different  flowers.  Calyx  of 
6  sepals,  greenish  yellow,  petal-like.  Corolla,  none.  Sterile 
blossoms,  with  9  stamens  in  2  or  3  rows,  all  with  large,  s-celled 
anthers,  the  inner  row  of  filaments  glandular  at  base.  The  pis- 
tillate flowers  have  a  roundish  ovary,  surrounded  by  many  rudi- 
mentary stamens.  Flowers,  peduncled,  3  to  6  in  clusters,  several 
such  clusters  forming  a  compound  umbel  which  is  surrounded  by 
a  4-leaved  involucre.  Fruit,  at  first  retaining  the  style  in  a  little 
pit  at  its  apex,  dropping  this  when  ripe,  and  becoming  a  Large, 
red,  oval  drupe. 

A  graceful,  tall  bush,  4  to  12  feet  high,  smooth-stemmed, 
with  brittle  branches.     The  yellow  flowers  appear  before  the 

427 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

leaves.  Found  in  moist  woods  from  New  England  to  Michi- 
gan and  southward.  To  this  Family  the  aromatic  sassafras 
tree  belongs,  sometimes  a  shrub,  with  similar  flowers. 

Witch-hazel 

Ha.mam.elis  <virginiana.  —  Family,  Witch-hazel.  Color,  yellow. 
heaves,  alternate,  straight-veined,  simple,  oval  or  ovate,  wavy- 
margined,  downy  beneath.  Calyx,  4-cleft,  with  bractlets  under- 
neath. Petals,  4,  long,  narrow,  strap-shape,  sometimes  twisted. 
S ta incus,  short,  4  perfect  and  4  without  anthers.  Styles,  2.  Fruit, 
a  2-horned  capsule.  Seeds,  2  in  each  capsule,  hard,  black,  tipped 
with  white.  Flowers,  sessile,  3  or  4  in  axillary  clusters,  with  a 
scale-like,  3-leaved  involucre  underneath.     August  to  October. 

A  slender  shrub  with  crooked  branches,  sometimes  attain- 
ing the  size  of  a  tree  10  to  30  feet  high,  but  seldom  growing 
like  a  tree  with  a  single  trunk.  By  blossoming  in  the  fall, 
while  the  leaves  are  dropping,  and  maturing  seed  next  sum- 
mer, this  plant  reverses  the  seasons.  The  seeds,  when  ripe, 
are  often  ejected  from  the  pod  with  considerable  force — 
"sometimes,"  says  Mr.  Gibson,  "to  a  distance  of  40  feet." 
He  writes:  "I  had  been  attracted  by  a  bush  which  showed 
an  unusual  profusion  of  bloom,  and  while  standing  close  be- 
side it  in  admiration  I  was  suddenly  stung  on  the  cheek  by 
some  missile,  and  the  next  instant  shot  in  the  eye  by  another, 
the  mysterious  marksman  having  apparently  let  off  both 
barrels  of  his  little  gun  directly  in  my  face.  I  soon  discovered 
him,  an  army  of  them — in  fact,  a  saucy  legion — all  grinning 
with  open  mouths  and  white  teeth  exposed,  and  their  double- 
barreled  guns  loaded  to  the  muzzle  and  ready  to  shoot  when- 
ever the  whim  should  take  them." 

Within  my  memory  the  twigs  of  this  shrub  have  been  used 
to  detect  the  presence  of  water  beneath  the  ground.  I  recall 
an  old  man  solemnly  stalking  over  my  father's  place  with  a 
magic  witch-hazel  wand  in  his  hand.  I  followed  him  expec- 
tantly, hoping  to  see  the  rod  tremble.  Whether  in  this  in- 
stance the  old  farmer's  sign  was  distrusted,  or  whether  the  twig 
did  not  shake,  I  cannot  remember.     The  well  was  never  dug. 

The  witch-hazel,  when  properly  prepared,  is  esteemed  a 
valuable  household  remedy.      (See  illustration,  p.  429.) 

Dyer's  Greenweed.     Woad-waxen.      Whin 
Genista    tinctoria, — Family,   Pulse.     Color,   yellow.     Corolla,  of 
the  papilionaceous  type,  with  a  long  keel.     Of  the  stamens,   5 

428 


witch-hazel  {Hamattu  lis  virginiana) 
(See  pure 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

alternate  are  shorter  than  the  others.  Calyx,  2-lipped.  Pod, 
flat,  containing  several  seeds.  Flowers,  in  elongated  racemes. 
Leaves,  simple,  lance-shape,  small.     June  and  July. 

Bushy  plants,  thornless,  with  a  certain  bright  prettincss, 
found  on  roadsides  and  dry  hills  in  poor  soil.     To  this  genus 
belongs  the  common  broom  of  the  old  country. 
Scotch  Broom 

Cytisus  scopkrius,  —  Family,  Pulse.  Color,  yellow.  Flowers, 
papilionaceous,  large,  single  or  in  pairs,  in  the  axils,  on  long 
pedicels,  making  loose,  leafy  racemes.  Style,  long,  projecting, 
incurved.     Leaves,  3 -foliate,  small,  smooth,  sometimes  simple. 

A  stiff,  much-branched  shrub,  3  to  4  feet  high,  found  in 
sandy  soil  from  Massachusetts  to  Virginia,  southward. 

Shrubby  St.  John's-wort 

Hypericum  proltficum.  —  Family,  St.  John's-wort.  Color,  yel- 
low. Leaves,  narrow,  oblong  or  lance-shape,  1  to  2  inches  long, 
dotted,  obtuse  at  apex,  numerous,  making  the  shrub  leafy  from 
base  to  top.  Sepals,  5.  Petals,  5.  Stamens,  many,  conspicuous, 
standing  up  from  the  wide-spreading  petals.  Styles,  3,  and  red 
pod  3 -celled.  Flowers,  clustered  at  the  ends  of  2 -edged  branch- 
lets.     July  to  September. 

A  much-branched,  bushy  shrub,  1  to  5  feet  high,  found  from 
New  Jersey  to  New  England  and  westward. 

H.  densiflbrum. —  Leaves,  smaller  than  in  the  last,  thickly 
crowded  upon  slender  branches,  very  bushy  toward  the  top. 
Flowers,  small,  \  inch  long,  in  compound  cymes. 

New  Jersey  pine  barrens  to  Kentucky  and  southward. 
Poverty  Grass.     False  or  Beach  Heather 

Hudsbnia.  tomentbsa. Family,  Rockrose.     Color,  yellow.    Petals, 

5,  falling  after  a  day's  time,  much  larger  than  the  calyx.  Leaves, 
bristly,  awl-shaped,  small,  overlapping  one  another,  closely 
packed  on  the  stem.  Flowers,  very  small,  borne  among  the  leaves 
near  the  tops  of  the  branches;   sessile  or  with  short  peduncles. 

This  plant  grows  a  few  inches  high,  in  a  close  and  bushy 
fashion,  heather-like,  in  sand  along  the  dunes  or  on  the  edges 
of  pine  woods. 

H.  ericotdes  differs  from  the  last  in  that  the  flowers  are  borne 
on  slender  peduncles  and  the  leaves  are  more  loosely  arranged. 
May  and  June. 

43° 


VINES    AND    SHR1 

"  In  some  parts  the  two  species  of  poverty  grass  (Hudsonia 
tomentosa  and  ericoides),  which  deserve  a  better  name,  reign 
for  miles  in  little,  hemispherical  tufts  or  islets,  like  m 

scattered  over  the  waste. 

"In  summer,  if  the  poverty  grass  grows  at  the  head  of  a 
hollow  looking  toward  the  sea,  in  a  bleak  position  where  the 
wind  rushes  up,  the  northern  or  exposed  half  of  the  tuft  is 
sometimes  all  black  and  dead,  like  an  oven-broom,  while  the 
opposite  half  is  yellow  with  blossoms,  the  whole  hillside  thus 
presenting  a  remarkable  contrast  when  seen  from  the  \  ><  >verty- 
stricken  and  the  flourishing  side." — Thoreau's  Cape  ( 'od. 

Low,  branched,  tufted  shrubs,  looking  like  heather.  In 
dry,  sandy  soil,  in  pine  barrens,  not  far  from  the  seashore. 

A  third  species  is  found  in  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina. 

Yellow  Passion  Flower 
Passiflbra  lutea, —  Family,  Passion  Flower.  Color,  greenish 
yellow.  Leaves,  3-lobed,  the  lobes  entire;  alternate,  with  pet 
and  stipules.  Sepals,  5,  united  at  base,  colored,  with  a  fringed 
erown  at  the  throat.  Petals,  5,  joined  to  the  calyx.  Stamens,  5. 
their  filaments  united,  making  a  tube  below,  which  surrounds  the 
long  stalk  of  the  ovary;  separated  above  with  large  anthers. 
Fruit,  a  berry  h  inch  in  diameter.  Flowers,  1  inch  across,  on 
jointed  peduncles  in  the  leaf-axils. 

Moist  thickets,  Pennsylvania  southward. 

Leatherwood.  Moosewood.  Wicopy 
Dtrca  palustris. —  Family,  Mezereum.  Color,  light  yellow. 
Leaves,  alternate,  oval  or  inversely  ovate,  nearly  smooth.  No 
corolla,  but  a  colored,  tubular,  funnel  -  shape,  4-toothed  calyx. 
4  long  and  4  short  stamens,  inserted  on  the  calyx,  stand  out  from 
the  flower.  Fruit,  a  reddish  berry.  The  numerous  jh  1 
emerge  before  the  leaves,  from  a  thick,  scaly  bud,  which  remains 
as  an  involucre,  and  later  gives  rise  to  a  leafy  branch.     April. 

This  shrub  has  exceedingly  tough  bark,  which  was  once 
used  for  thongs  by  the  Indians.  The  wood  is  soft,  white,  and 
brittle.  Found  in  moist,  rich  woods  in  all  the  Atlantic 
States  and  westward. 

Swamp  Privet 
Adetia   acuminata.  —  Family,    Olive.     Color,    greenish    yellow. 

Leaves,   lance -shape    to  ovate,   opposite  OT  sometime   fascicled, 
on  slender  petioles  1  to  4  inches  long.      Flowers,  small,  appearing 
28  43T 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

before  the  leaves,  the  pistillate  in  threes  on  a  common  peduncle ; 
the  staminate  in  fascicles  from  the  leaf-axils  of  the  preceding  year. 

In  swamps  and  along  river-banks  from  Illinois  to  Georgia 
and  westward  to  Texas. 

Yellow  Jessamine  or  Jasmine 

Gelseminum  sempervirens.  —  Family,  Logania.  Color,  bright, 
golden  yellow.  Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla,  tubular,  1  to  ii  inches 
long,  the  border  deeply  5-parted  into  broad  lobes.  Stamens,  5, 
with  arrow  -  shape  anthers.  Style,  1 .  Short  stamens  and  long 
style  in  one  flower,  corresponding  to  long  stamens  and  short  style 
in  another.  A  high  climber  over  trees.  Leaves,  small,  shining, 
ovate  or  lance-shape,  short-petioled,  simple,  evergreen.  March 
and  April. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  vines,  deservedly 
dear  to  the  Southern  heart,  the  profusion  of  bright,  deliciously 
fragrant,  axillary-clustered  flowers,  in  shape  somewhat  like 
the  Northern  foxglove,  contrasting  finely  with  the  richly 
colored  evergreen  leaves.  Low  grounds,  from  Virginia  to 
Florida  and  Texas. 

Dodder.     Love  Vine 

Cuscuta.  Gron&viu — Family,  Convolvulus.  Color,  yellowish  or 
whitish,     heaves,  none. 

Our  commonest  parasite,  and  very  troublesome  in  clover 
and  alfalfa  fields,  or  wherever  it  obtains  a  hold.  The  seed — 
a  coiled  thread,  a  worm-like  embryo — germinates  in  the 
ground.  When  the  yellow  stem  which  springs  from  this  seed 
is  2  inches  high,  it  reaches  for  any  neighboring  herb  or  shrub. 
Once  in  touch,  it  develops  haitstoria,  or  suckers,  which  pene- 
trate the  bark  of  the  host,  and  thence  draw  the  plant's  juices, 
already  assimilated,  appropriating  them  for  its  own.  The 
part  in  the  ground  now  dies  and  falls  away,  leaving  the  plant 
wholly  parasitic.  It  quickly  entwines  itself  around  the  whole 
shrub,  reaching  out  for  others  near  by,  and  thus  we  often  see 
tangled  mats  and  masses  of  yellow  threads  in  the  woods,  by 
the  roads,  everywhere.  Under  the  magnifying-glass  the 
small,  cabbage-like  flowers  show  5  divisions  of  calyx  and 
corolla,  with  a  2 -celled  ovary,  and  thus  they  are  brought 
within  the  Family  which  includes  the  apparently  most  dis- 
similar morning  glory  and  sweet  potato.  Being  parasitic, 
the  plants  possess  no  green  leaves,  but  yellowish  scales  in- 

432 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

stead.     By  twining  too  tightly  around  the  bark   th< 
additional    injury.     C.  Gronovii  varies  considerably  in 

of  blossom  and  coarseness  of  stem.     It    is  a  curious  bul 
pulsive  plant.    Pn  >m  Canada  southward  l<j  Florida  and  T. 

(Sec  illustration,  p,  434.) 

C.  Coryli  bears  small   flowers,  few  scales,  and  is  par 
hazel  and  other  shrubs  or  coarse  herbs. 

Southern  New  England  to  Nebraska. 

C.  arvensis  has   pale    yellow  steins   with    large,   deeply    frill 
scales. 

Dry  soil  from  New  York  and  Florida  and  across  the 
continent. 

In  that  singular  book  by  Dr.  Erasmus  Darwin,  Loves  of  the 
Plants  (published  in  1 7 «>  1  ),  he  says  of  the  cuscutas: 

"With  sly  approach  they  spread  their  dangerous  charms, 

And  round  their  victims  wind  tluir  wiry  arms: 

So  by  Scamander,  when-   I.  stood, 

Where  Troy's  proud  turrets  glittered  in   the  VTOOd, 

******* 
Two  serpent  forms,  ineumbent  on  the  main, 

******* 

Ring  above  ring,  in  many  a  tangled  fold, 

Close  and  more  close  their  writhing  limits  surround.*' 

Trumpet  Creeper.  Trumpet-flower 
Tecoma.  radicans. — Family,  Bignonia.  Color,  orange  and  red. 
Leaves,  pinnate,  the  leaflets  numbering  <»  to  ti,  one  odd,  terminal, 
in  shape  ovate,  acute  at  apex,  toothed.  Corolla,  trumpet-shape, 
Large,  5-lobed.  Calyx,  5 -toothed.  Stamens,  4.  Flowers,  clustered. 
July  and  August . 

This  plant,  which  is  a  troublesome  weed  in  Ohio  and  other 
Western  States,  is  cultivated  with  us.  The  corolla  is  large. 
trumpet-shape,  flame-colored.  Stems,  strong,  woody.  The 
plant  climbs  by  little  n  m  >tlets  springing  from  the  stem,  and  so 
vigorously  as  to  suffocate  grape  vines  or  whatever  weaker 
plant  lies  in  its  way.  Once  established,  it  is  very  difficult  to 
extirpate.  The  Hitting  hummingdnrd  may  occasionally  be 
seen   nesting  among  the   branches  and   sipping   nectar   from 

the    bright,    trumpet  -  shaped    blossoms.      New    Jersey    to 

Florida   and    westward. 


COMMON    DODDER    (CllSCUta   GrOflOvii) 
(See  page  432) 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Cross-vine 
Bigndnia.  capreolkfa*    Family,  Bignonia.     Color,  orange  out 

lemon  within.     Calyx,  like  a  small  cup  with  scarcely  any  U 
Corolla,  bell-shape,  somewhal    2 -lipped,  nol    deeply   5-lobed. 

Stamens,  4,  often  with  a  rudiment  of  a  tilth.  Flowers,  pedicelled, 
in  cymes,  numerous.  Leaves,  petioled,  a  pair  <>f  oblong  or 
ovate  leaflets,  each  stalked.  A  branched  tendril  springs  from 
the  tip  of  the  petiole,  and  in  the  axils  there  are  often  stipule-like 
leaves.     April  to  June. 

Woody  climbers,  on  trees  reaching  a  height  of  50  or  00  feet, 
in  moist  woods  from  Virginia  to  Florida  and  westward.  If 
the  stem  be  cut  across,  a  cross-like  figure  is  seen  in  the  wood. 

Bush  Honeysuckle 
Dier<vtlU  Lonicera. — Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  pale  yellow 
at  first,  becoming  deeper.  Leaves,  opposite,  short-petioled,  oval 
or  elliptical,  finely  toothed,  tapering  at  apex,  round  at  : 
slightly  fringed  along  the  margins.  Calyx-tube,  long,  with  5  long, 
narrow  segments  above.  Corolla,  tubular,  opening  and  spread- 
ing above  into  5  narrow  lobes.  Stamens,  5.  Pistil,  with  a  long, 
projecting  style  and  button  -  like  stigma.  Flowers,  small,  fra- 
grant, 3  together,  short-pedicelled,  on  a  common  peduncle,  from 
the  upper,  opposite  leaf-axils.  Fruit,  long,  crowned  with  the 
calyx  -  teeth.  Stems,  grayish,  somewhat  4-angled.  June  to  Au- 
gust. 

A  pretty,  low  shrub,  2  to  4  feet  high,  found  in  rocky  places, 
especially  on  the  tops  of  mountains,  from  New  England 
southward  to  North  Carolina  and  westward. 

The  Weigela  of  our  gardens,  an  early  flowering  shrub  with 
red  or  yellow,  showy  flowers,  is  a  Japanese  species  of  Diervilla. 

Mountain  Fly  Honeysuckle 

Lonicera  caerulea. — Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color,  pale  greenish 
yellow.  The  specific  name  comes  from  the  blue  berry.  /. 
oval  or  inversely  ovate,  1  to  \\  inches  long,  Hunt  at  apex, 
rounded  at  base,  slightly  fringed  around  the  margins,  opposite, 
pale  green  beneath.  Flowers,  tubular,  the  calyx  very  small,  the 
corolla  with  a  5-parted  spreading  border,  in  pairs  in  the  axils, 
with  short  peduncles.  In  fruiting  the  two  ovaries  become  united 
into  one  and  produce  a  double,  roundish,  blue  black,  edible  berry. 
June. 

Low  grounds,   swamps  or  bogs,   from    Pennsylvania   to 

California  and  northward. 

435 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

American  Fly  Honeysuckle 

L.  canadensis.  —  Color,  pale  greenish  yellow.  Leaves,  thin, 
downy  beneath  when  young,  on  somewhat  hairy,  short  petioles, 
opposite,  oblong  or  ovate,  fringed  around  the  margins.  Calyx, 
With  very  short  teeth.  Corolla,  funnel-form,  with  a  slight,  spur- 
like swelling  at  base,  £  of  an  inch  long,  with  5  nearly  equal  lobes. 
Stamens,  5.  Fruit,  not  united,  of  2  separate,  bright  red  berries. 
April  to  June. 

Erect,  3  to  5  inches  high.  In  cold,  moist  woods  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  northward. 

Swamp  Fly  Honeysuckle 

L.  oblongifolia.  —  Color,  yellow,  sometimes  purplish  within. 
Corolla,  deeply  2 -lipped.  Flowers,  in  pairs,  at  the  top  of  a  long 
peduncle,  from  the  upper  axils.  Minute  bracts  under  the  pair  of 
flowers.  Berries,  quite  separate,  or  slightly  united  at  base,  red 
or  crimson.  Leaves,  1  to  2  inches  long,  opposite,  oblong  or  lance- 
shape,  downy  at  least  when  young.     May  and  June. 

Swamps,  especially  in  larch  and  arbor- vitse  woods,  from 
Maine  to  western  New  York. 

The  Tartarian  honeysuckle  (L.  tartarica),  so  well  known 
in  our  gardens,  may  be  found  escaped  from  cultivation  and 
growing  wild  on  sheltered  banks  from  Maine  to  New  Jersey 
and  westward. 

Hairy  Honeysuckle.     Rough  Woodbine 

L.  hirsuta  (this  and  the  two  following  species  are  woody,  climb- 
ing vines). — Color,  orange  yellow.  Calyx-tube  with  5  small  teeth. 
Corolla,  clammy  from  minute  glands  on  the  outside;  a  tube  more 
than  I  inch  long,  with  the  lower  lip  narrow,  and  covering  the  other 
in  bud;  the  upper  divided  into  4  roundish  lobes.  Stamens,  5, 
protruding.  Stigma,  round,  green,  terminating  a  long  style. 
Berries,  bright  orange,  with  the  calyx  -  teeth  left  upon  them. 
Flowers,  sessile,  in  whorls  of  about  6,  from  the  upper  leaf-axils, 
forming  an  interrupted  leafy  spike.  Leaves,  dull  green,  large, 
broadly  lance  -  shape  or  oval,  rounded  at  base,  hairy  along  the 
margins  and  midribs,  the  upper  pair  completely  united,  the 
others  on  short,  winged  petioles.     June  and  July. 

A  hardy  climber,  in  woods,  around  rocks,  reaching  a  length 
of  20  to  30  feet.  Branches  are  reddish.  Leaves  large  and 
coarse,  and  stems  softly  hairy.  Vermont  to  Michigan,  south 
to  Pennsylvania. 

436 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Trumpet   Honeysuckle 
L.  sempervirens   is   often    cultivated.     It    is   found    wild    from 
Connecticut  southward.     /•/'  entless,  with  tubulai 

2  inches  long,  red  outside,  vellow  within,  in  spiked  wh<  irl        I  '■•  I 
deep  orange  red.     The  upper  /<</.■-     join   around   the  stem;  tin- 
lower  are  on  short  petioles;  all  bright,  shining,  evergreen,  smooth, 
oblong  or  broadly  oval.      A  twining  and  climbing  shrub. 

L.  glaucescens. — Color,  pale  yellow.     Leaves,  softly  downy  al 
the  veins  underneath,  sessile,  the  upper  pair  united  and  surround- 
ing the  stem.     Corolla,  a-lipped,  swollen  .it    base,  al.ont    i   inch 
long,  with  stamens  and  style  protruding,  covered  with  soft,  small 
hairs.      May  and  June. 

Woods,  Pennsylvania  t<>  Nebraska  and  northward. 

VINES    AND    SHRUBS    WITH    PINK    OR    RED     BLOSSOMS 

Hardhack.     Steeple  Bush 

Spiraea,  tomentosa. — Family,  Rose.  Color,  pink,  rarely  wl 
Calyx,  4  to  sdobed.  Corolla,  of  4  or  5  petals  inserted  upon  tin- 
top  of  the  calyxdobe.  Stamens,  many.  Flowers,  clustered  in  a 
dense  terminal  panicle  composed  of  separate,  short  racei 
Leaves,  ovate  or  oval,  1  to  2  inches  long,  serrate,  short-petioled, 
with  the  stem  and  petioles  covered  with  a  reddish,  thick  wool. 
Stem,  stiff  and  brittle.     July  to  September. 

Low  grounds,  roadsides  and  fields,  New  England  to  Ge<  >rgia 
and  westward  to  Kansas.  The  leaves  are  covered  with  white 
hairs  underneath. 

Purple  Flowering  Raspberry 

Rubus    odoratus.  —  Family,    Rose.      Color,    deep    pink.      /■ 
alternate,  3  to  sdobed,  the   middle  lobe  longer  than  tin-  others, 
all  finely  toothed,  acute.     Calyx,  5 -parted,  its  lobes  tipped  with 
a  long,  fine  point;  very  clammy  and  hairy,  often  reddish.     Petals, 
5,    large.     Flowers,    2   inches  across,  several   together,  clustei 
f-'ntit,   like  a   raspberry,  of  many  small    grains,  flat    and   red 
falling  away  from   the    receptacle,  not   edible.      Stem  and   peti 
Sticky  with  glandular  hairs,   without    thorns.      June  and  July. 

A  shrub  3   to   5  feet  high.     From  northern  New  Englan 
New  Jersey  and  Georgia,  wesl    to  Michigan.     (See  illustration, 

p.  4^S.) 

Swamp   Rose 

Rosa  caroUna.— Family,  Rose.      Color,  pink.      Leaves,  of  5 
leaflets,  very   finely    toothed,  acute  a1    apex,  dull   green   al 

437 


PURPLE    FLOWERING    RASPBERRY   {Rubus    odomtUS) 
(See  page  4^7) 


VINES    AND    SI  Ik  IDS 

paler  beneath,  with  narrow  stipules.     Calyx,  an  urn-shapr  ; 
narrowed  at   the  top,  within  which,  attached    to   its  lining,  an- 
the  numerous  pistils  which  form  the  achenes  in  fruit.     The  "  i 
hip"  is  the  calyx-tube  grown  fleshy.      This  species  is  often  7  feet 
high,  with    curved,   strong  spines,   and   pretty,   rose  -  colored,   5- 
petaled  blossoms.     June  to  September. 

Found  on  the  edges  of  swamps  and  streams  in  all  the 
Atlantic  States  and  westward. 

Dwarf  Wild  Rose 

R.  lucida.,  generally  low,  but  sometimes  4  or  5  feet  high,  has 
coarsely  toothed,  dark  green,  shining,  smooth  leaves  parted  inl<> 
about  7  leaflets,  and  flowers  in  corymbs  or  single.  Spines  hooked, 
stout.     The  outer  sepals  are  often  lobed. 

Found  in  swamps  and  wet  places  from  Pennsylvania  and 
New  York  northward.  This  species  is  more  fragrant  than 
the  preceding.  It  grows  sometimes  in  masses  an  acre  in 
extent.  One  bush  aglow  with  blossoms  is  a  pretty  sight. 
In  autumn  the  leaves  turn  a  rich  yellowish  brown,  and  the 
crimson  fruit  is  conspicuous. 

Pasture  Rose 

R.  humilis.  —  A  low,  bushy  species,  with  small  but  vicious 
thorns  standing  straight  out  from  the  stem.  Leaflets,  5  to  7,  thin, 
coarsely  serrate,  with  narrow  stipules.  Flowers,  single,  large, 
2  to  3  inches  across.  Calyx  and  pedicels,  glandular.  Petals, 
notched,  wide  open.     May  to  July. 

Our  commonest  species,  found,  generally  low  and  strag- 
gling, in  dry,  rocky  fields  and  woods  from  Maine  to  Florida 
and  Louisiana  and  westward.  A  double  form  is  found  in 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 

R.  nftida. — A  low  bush,  not  over  2  feet  high,  with  stems  and 
branches  covered  densely  with  small,  weak  prickles.  Leaflets, 
5  to  9,  with  broad  stipules  at  base  of  petioles,  bright  green,  nar- 
rowly oblong,  pointed  at  each  end.     June  and  July. 

The  deep  pink  buds  of  our  wild  roses  are  even  ]  >rettier  than 
the  open  flowers,  which  quickly  fade  when  picked  and  drop 
their  petals.  Their  perfume  is  more  delicate  than  the  garden 
roses.  This  species  is  found  in  low  grounds  from  Massachu- 
setts northward. 

Sweetbrier.     Eglantine 

R.  rubiginbsa.  is  prized  not  s<>  much  for  its  small,  pale  blossoms 
as  for  the  delicate  fragrance  given  ou1   by  its  leaves.     T 

439 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

divided  into  doubly  serrate,  oblong  to  ovate  leaflets,  and  are 
downy,  covered  with  small,  dark  glands  which  exhale  the  pleasant 
aroma.     Brandies,  very  prickly.     June  to  August. 

When  the  dew  is  upon  the  sweetbrier  rose,  or  after  a  shower, 
the  atmosphere  around  is  filled  with  the  fragrance.  Often 
cultivated,  but  found  also  in  woods  from  New  England  to 
South  Carolina,  westward  to  Tennessee. 

Dog  Rose 

R.  cantna. — A  species  naturalized  from  Europe,  whose  stem,  but 
not  branches,  is  furnished  with  stout,  recurved  thorns.  It  reaches 
a  height  of  10  feet,  and  is  often  straggling  in  its  growth.  Flowers, 
single  or  2  or  3  together,  a  pale  pink,  fading  to  almost  white. 
Leaflets,  small,  5  to  7,  with  prominent  stipules  sharply  serrate. 
Petioles  armed  with  a  few  weak  prickles.     June  and  July. 

Along  roadsides,  in  waste  places,  on  banks  of  rivers  in 
Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  to  Tennessee. 

The  following  bit  of  verse  shows  how  the  original  white 
rose  became  pink: 

"As  erst  in  Eden's  blissful  bowers 
Young  Eve  surveyed  her  countless  flowers, 
An  opening  rose  of  purest  white 
She  marked  with  eye  that  beamed  delight. 
Its  leaves  she  kissed,  and  straight  it  drew 
From  beauty's  lips  the  vermil  hue." 

Climbing  or  Prairie  Rose.  Michigan  Rose 
R.  setigera. — One  climbing  species  should  be  noticed,  escaped 
from  cultivation  in  New  England  and  found  wild  in  our  prairies. 
It  climbs  by  means  of  its  hooked  prickles.  Leaflets,  generally  3, 
sometimes  5,  serrate  but  not  bristly.  Flowers,  2?  inches  across, 
several  together,  in  corymbose  clusters,  with  peduncles. 

Bristly  Locust.     Rose  Acacia 

Robinia  hispida. —  Family,  Pulse.  Color,  deep  rose.  Flowers, 
large,  with  papilionaceous  corolla,  in  drooping  axillary  racemes, 
showy  in  this  species,  not  fragrant.  Leaves,  pinnate,  with  one 
odd  leaflet. 

A  shrub  from  3  to  8  feet  high,  indigenous  south  of  Virginia, 
cultivated  in  the  Northern  States. 

Common  Locust.     False  Acacia 
R.  Pseudo-Acacia  is  a  tree  familiar  to  inhabitants  of  Long  Island 
and  other  places  around  New  York,  and  a  favorite  on  account  of 

440 


VINES   AND   SHR1 

the  sweet  fragrance  emitted  by  its  delicate  ra< 
in  early  summer. 

The  lightly  waving,  fine  leaflets  of  the  thick  foliage,  with 
the  drooping  racemes  of  white  flowers,  ra  lisite 

forest  picture. 

A  curious  provision  for  the  protection  of  tender  Inula  is 
furnished  by  trees  and  shrubs  of  this  genus.     The  base  of  the 
present  leaf-stalk  is  hollow,  like  a  thimble,  and  i1     I 
hud.     One  has  «»nly  to  pluck  a  locust  leaf  to  discover  • 
season's  hud    forming  under  it    and  growing  in  as  • 
nest  as  could,  be  devised.     It  is  a  common  opinion  among 

farmers   that   lightning  will  strike  a  locust  tree  quicker  than 
any  other,   and   that,  therefore,  one  planted  near  a  h 
may  serve  as  a  lightning-conductor.     The  numerous  charred 
trunks  of  locust  trees  observed  in  a  walk  in  the  forest  would 

seem  to  hear  out  this  idea. 

Purple    Azalea.      Pinxter    Flower.      Swamp    Pink 
Rhododendron  nudiflbrum. — Family,    Heath.      Has    bright    pink 
flowers  appearing  very  early  in  April,  before   the  leaves  of  the 

shrub  are  fairly  out. 

This  is  similar  to  the  white  azalea,  without  the  sticky 
calyx-tube,  and  less  fragrant  than  R.  viscosum  (p.  411.)  Both 
fill  our  swampy  woods  with  beautiful  bloom  in  their  season. 
Upon  each  appear"  May-apples,"  an  edible,  pulpy  ex 
cence,  formerly  supposed  to  be  the  work  of  insects,  now 
admitted  to  be  a  legitimate  growth,  a  modified  hud.  Says 
Mr.  Gibson,  in  his  inimitable  way: 

"The  May-apple,  which  hangs  among  the  clusters  n{  the 
wild,  fragrant,  pink  swamp  azaleas,  has  no  mission  in  the 
world  except  to  melt  in  the  mouth  of  the  eager,  thirsty  small 
boy.  lie  knows  little  and  cares  less  what  it  really  is.  He 
only  knows   that    it    beckons   him   as   he   passes   through    ' 

May  w Is.  and  its  cool,  translucent,  pale-green  pulp  is  like 

balm  to  his  thirsty  lips.      How  it   makes  the  corners  of  my 
jaws  ache  with  thirsty  yearning  as  I   think  of  it*  and 
a  pink  whifT  of  the  swamp  May-blooms  its  memory  brings!"  — 
Sharp  Eyes. 

Rhodora 

R.  canadinse. — Flowers  appear  earlier  than  tin-  leaves      Corolla. 
of  a  purplish  pink  or  nwc  color.     Tube,  short .  hardly  any.  the 
2-lipped.      May  and  June. 

441 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

A  low  shrub,  not  more  than  3  feet  high,  found  in  swamps 
and  on  damp  hillsides  from  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey- 
northward. 

Sheep  Laurel.     Lambkill.     Wicky 

Kalmia  angustifblia. — Family,  Heath.  This  is  a  low  shrub,  1 
foot  or  more  high,  with  narrow,  evergreen  leaves  in  whorls  of 
threes.  Flowers,  from  the  axils,  in  corymbs  of  a  deep  crimson 
color,  the  dark  anthers  which  nestle  in  their  pockets  having  the 
effect  of  spots. 

Thoreau  always  speaks  of  it  as  "lambkill."  He  says 
(June  13th):  "The  lambkill  is  out.  I  remember  with  what 
delight  I  used  to  discover  this  flower  in  dewy  mornings. 
All  things  in  the  world  must  be  seen  with  the  morning  dew 
upon  them,  must  be  seen  with  youthful,  early  opened,  hope- 
ful eyes." 

And  this  is  how  he  writes  of  the  flower  at  evening:  "  How 
beautiful  the  solid  cylinders  of  the  lambkill  now,  just  before 
sunset — small,  10-sided,  rosy-crimson  basins  about  2  inches 
above  the  recurved,  drooping,  dry  capsules  of  last  year!" 
Most  people  would  not  agree  with  him  that  it  is  "  handsomer 
than  the  mountain  laurel." 

Supposed  to  be  poisonous  to  young  animals  and  hurtful  to 
cattle  and  horses.  Stags  eat  the  leaves,  digging  them  from 
under  the  snow.  The  Indians  make  a  decoction  of  kalmia 
leaves  (says  Dr.  Barton)  with  which  to  commit  suicide. 

Atlantic  States  to  Georgia. 

Pale  Laurel 

K.  poUfolia,  with  its  mostly  opposite,  narrow,  long  leaves,  whit- 
ish underneath  and  turned  back  on  the  margins,  and  its  few  ter- 
minal rosy  flowers  on  long,  red  stalks,  is  to  my  mind  prettier  than 
Thoreau's  lambkill. 

A  straggling  bush,  1  foot  high,  growing  in  swamps,  almost 
in  water,  with  the  cotton  grass  and  andromeda.  Newfound- 
land, southward  to  Pennsylvania  and  westward.  (See  illus- 
tration, p.  443.) 

Black    Whortleberry    or    Huckleberry.      High    Bush 
Huckleberry 

Ga.ylussa.cia.  baccata.  —  Family,  Heath.  Color,  pink  or  red. 
Leaves,  entire,  alternate,  ovate,  with  short  petioles  or  none,  pro- 
fusely dotted  underneath  with  resinous,  yellow  spots,  1  to  2 
inches  long.     Calyx,   resinous-dotted,    5-pointed,   the  points  re- 

442 


PALE    LAUREL    (KolmtQ    polijului) 
(Sec  [Mg«   44.O 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

maining  and  crowning  the  ripened  berry.  Corolla,  bell  -  shape, 
contracted  above,  5-parted,  small.  Stamens,  10,  the  anthers 
opening  by  a  pore  at  the  apex.  Fruit,  a  black,  berry-like  drupe 
formed  by  the  clinging  of  the  calyx  to  the  ovary,  10-celled,  each 
cell  containing  a  bony  seed.  Many  of  these  fail  of  coming  to  per- 
fection, only  2  or  3  maturing.     May  and  June. 

A  much-branched  shrub,  1  to  3  feet  high,  in  dry  or  sandy 
soil,  woods  or  thickets,  along  the  Atlantic  coast  and  westward 
to  Wisconsin  and  Kentucky.  Fruit  ripe  in  July  and  August. 
This  is  the  common  black  huckleberry  of  the  markets,  a 
glossy -black,  hard-seeded  fruit.  There  are  many  varieties, 
one  with  larger  berries,  one  with  leaves  and  berries  covered 
with  a  blackish  bloom. 

Of  the  Genus  Gaylussacia  there  are  nearly  80  species,  some 
of  them  trees,  most  of  them  bearing  edible  berries. 

Whortleberry  means  hart's-berry,  from  the  Saxon  heort- 
berry.  Along  the  Atlantic  seaboard  there  are  but  3  species, 
not  confounding  them  with  blueberries,  which  are  now  con- 
sidered a  separate  genus.  The  leaves  of  all  turn  bright  red 
in  fall,  and  are  among  those  shrubs  which  help  to  cover  the 
fields,  pastures,  and  roadsides  with  masses  of  fine  color. 
Blue  Tangle.     Dangleberry 

G.  frondbsa.  is  a  species  with  large,  pale  green,  blunt-pointed 
leaves  and  flowers  hanging  or  dangling  from  long,  slender  pe- 
duncles in  irregular  clusters.  Fruit,  round,  large,  bluish  black 
berries  with  a  whitish  bloom,  ripening  later  than  the  preceding. 

One  of  the  sweetest  and  finest  of  these  fruits,  found  grow- 
ing on  bushes  in  moist  woods  or  by  the  sides  of  lakes  or  slow- 
streams,  along  the  coast  of  New  England  southward,  in  the 
mountains  of  Pennsylvania — where  it  attains  its  greatest 
perfection — to  the  Gulf.  (See  illustration,  p.  445 •) 
Dwarf  Huckleberry 

G.  dumbsa  is  a  branching  bush  1  to  5  feet  high,  with  creeping 
base  and  hairy,  glandular  stems.  Flowers,  5  in  a  cluster,  in 
June.  Corolla,  large,  waxy  white,  sometimes  tinged  with  pink. 
Anthers,  brown,  divided  nearly  to  their  base,  on  white  filaments. 
Shrub,  resinous-dotted.     The  round,  black  fruit  is  rather  insipid. 

In  sandy  swamps  all  along  our  coast. 

Blueberry 
Vaccinium  <virgktum. — Family,  Heath.     Color,  pink  or  reddish. 
Flowers,  open  bell-shape,  in  clusters  on  naked  branches.     Berries, 

444 


'* 


Ma 


\fr 


"-%■■.,.    ;       / 


BLUE    TANGLE.       DANOLEBERRY.        (GaylllSSQ 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

large,  covered  with  blue  bloom,  io-celled,  flattened.  The  younger, 
reddish  berries  and  maturer  blue  or  black  grow  together  in  such 
numbers  that  the  plant  often  appears  to  have  more  fruit  than 
leaves.  Stamens,  8  to  10.  Leaves,  pale  green,  broadly  elliptical, 
tli in,  shining  above,  acute  and  finely  toothed. 

A  bush  2  to  3  feet  high,  one  of  our  commonest  and  best 
species,  furnishing  sweet,  delicious  fruit  in  July  and  August. 
In  swamps  and  sandy  soil  of  pine  barrens  from  New  Jersey 
to  Florida. 

Low  Pale  Blueberry 

V.  <vacillans. — Calyx,  reddish,  and  corolla  yellow  tinged  with 
red.  A  smooth  species  with  greenish  yellow  branchlets.  Berries, 
blue,  with  a  bloom,  ripening  late. 

Dry  fields  and  woods  from  New  England  to  Michigan  and 
southward. 

Spreading  Dogbane 

Apocynum  androsaemi folium. —  Family,  Dogbane.  Color,  pale 
or  deep  pink.  Leaves,  opposite,  oval,  pointed,  often  with  red 
petioles  and  veins.  Calyx,  5-parted.  Corolla,  5-lobed,  bell- 
shape,  with  triangular  bodies  below  the  throat,  opposite  the 
lobes.  Stamens,  5,  with  short  filaments  situated  on  the  base  of 
the  corolla.  Stigma,  sessile,  2-lobed.  Fruit,  a  long  and  slender 
pod.  Seeds,  furnished  with  a  tuft  of  long,  silky  hairs.  Bark, 
composed  of  tough  fibers.  Flowers,  few  and  small,  like  tiny  bells 
in  terminal  cymes,  fragrant. 

A  loosely  branched,  shrub-like  perennial  herb,  1  to  4  feet 
high,  in  fields  growing  in  light,  moist  or  dry  soil,  from  New 
England  to  Georgia  and  westward.     (See  illustration,  p.  447.) 

Cypress  Vine 

Ipomoea  Quamoclit. — Family,  Convolvulus.  Color,  red.  Leaves, 
1  (innately  dissected  into  thread-like,  parallel  lobes.  Corolla,  long, 
tubular,  with  a  5-parted,  spreading  border,  one  or  two  together, 
on  long  peduncles.     June  to  October. 

A  twining  vine,  formerly  more  cultivated  than  now,  the 
delicate  stems  twining  around  cords  which  were  fastened  to  a 
ring  at  the  top.     Occasionally  found  wild  in  the  South. 

Common  Morning  Glory 

I.  purpurea,  in  its  varying  shades  of  white,  blue,  or  crimson,  is 
times  reduced  to  a  wild  state,  having  escaped  cultivation. 
Twining  and  leafy. 

446 


SPREADING    DOGBAN 

(Set 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Wild  Morning  Glory 

/.  hederkcea. — Color,  white,  pale  blue,  or  pink.  Leaves,  heart- 
shape,  3  -  lobed,  petioled.  Flowers,  i  to  3  on  long  peduncles. 
Calyx,  very  hairy.     July  to  October. 

Like  the  well-known  morning  glory  of  our  gardens,  this 
species  naturalized  from  Southern  countries  opens  its  flow- 
ers in  the  early  morning,  closing  them  before  ten  o'clock. 

Italian  or  American  Honeysuckle  or  Woodbine 

Lonicera  Caprifblium. — Family,  Honeysuckle.  Color  of  trum- 
pet-shape corolla,  purplish  or  crimson  outside,  whitish  within. 
The  border  is  strongly  2-lipped,  the  upper  lip  consisting  of  4 
divisions,  the  lower  of  1,  narrow,  turned  down.  Flowers,  1  to  ij 
inches  long,  in  terminal,  sessile  clusters.  Leaves,  the  upper  ones 
completely  joined  around  the  stem  {perfoliate),  the  lower  with 
short  petioles  or  none,  separate.  Fruit,  a  cluster  of  red  berries 
within  the  perfoliate  leaf,  making  this  a  showy  shrub  in  fall.  May, 
and  June. 

Escaped  from  gardens  and  growing  wild  from  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  southward. 

Climbing  Hempweed 

Mikknia  scdndens. — Family,  Composite.  Color,  pink.  Leaves, 
opposite,  heart -shape,  or  triangular,  pointed,  toothed  near  the 
base,  on  long  petioles.  Heads,  containing  4  flowers,  all  grouped 
in  corymbose  clusters.  Under  the  heads  are  4  involucral  scales. 
July  to  September. 

The  only  climbing  Composite.  It  twines  around  bushes 
and  forms  a  tangle  of  green  leaves  intermixed  with  pretty 
pink  clusters  of  flowers.  They  have  a  way  of  lying  flat  over 
the  tops  of  other  bushes,  forming  areas  of  deep  pink.  As  the 
flowers  grow  old,  they  become  pale  and  ragged.  They  can  be 
seen  in  almost  any  wet  place  on  Long  Island,  in  New  Jersey, 
to  Kentucky  and  southward,  keeping  rather  near  the  coast. 
The  leaves  wilt  quickly  after  being  picked.  (See  illustration, 
P-  449-) 

VINES    AND    SHRUBS    WITH    BLUE    OR    PURPLE    BLOSSOMS 

Pipe  Vine.     Dutchman's  Pipe 

Aristolbchia  macrophylla,  —  Family,  Birthwort.  Color  of  tube, 
greenish  yellow;  of  limb,  brownish  purple.  Calyx,  tubular,  bent 
and  curved  like  a  Dutch  pipe,  1 A  inches  long   swollen  below,  nar- 

448 


CLIMBING    HBMPWBED    (Mik\mi<i 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD   FLOWERS 

rowed  above,  with  a  short,  somewhat  3-lobed  border.  Corolla, 
none.  Stamens,  6,  each  pair  of  anthers  joining  under  one  of  the 
3  short,  thick,  stigmatic  lobes  of  the  pistil.  Flowers,  drooping, 
on  axillary  peduncles,  a  bract  clasping  the  base  of  the  peduncles. 
Leaves,  broad,  6  to  15  inches,  roundish  or  kidney  -  shape,  on 
petioles  1  to  4  inches  long,  downy  beneath  when  young,  smooth 
when  older.     May. 

Cultivated  and  a  favorite  twining  veranda  vine  in  the 
Northern  States,  indigenous  in  rich  woods  from  Pennsyl- 
vania southward. 

Woolly  Pipe  Vine 

A.  tomentdsa. — Leaves,  very  veiny  and  woolly,  on  stout,  downy 
petioles.  Flowers,  similar  to  the  last,  but  larger,  with  a  yellowish 
tube  and  purplish  limb,  3-lobed,  axillary,  on  downy  peduncles. 
May  and  June. 

A  Southern  species,  found  in  rich  woods  from  Missouri  and 
southern  Illinois  to  Florida  and  Alabama. 

Whorled  Clematis.     Purple  Virgin's  Bower 

Clematis  <verticillaris. — Family,  Crowfoot.  Color,  blue  purple. 
Petals,  small  or  none.  Sepals,  large,  thin,  with  prominent  veins, 
widely  spreading,  giving  the  purplish  color  to  the  flower.  Outer 
filaments  often  flat,  like  small  petals.  Peduncles,  long,  springing 
from  the  axils  of  opposite  leaves,  or  terminating  the  branches, 
bearing  a  single  flower.  Fruit,  of  many  long,  plumose  styles. 
Leaves,  trifoliate  on  long  and  slender  petioles,  the  leaflets  entire 
or  slightly  toothed,  somewhat  heart  -  shape,  sometimes  lobed. 
May  and  June. 

A  woody-stemmed  climber  or  trailing  vine  found  in  rocky 
woods,  especially  in  limestone  districts,  from  Virginia  north- 
ward. If  one  comes  across  this  climber  in  the  woods  of 
Connecticut,  as  I  have  done,  he  has  found  a  real  treasure,  a 
rare  and  beautiful  flower. 

Leather  Flower 

C.  Viorna. — No  petals,  but  purple  sepals,  1  inch  long,  thick, 
leathery,  making  a  bell-shape  flower  with  recurved  tips.  Leaves, 
pinnate,  consisting  of  3  to  7  leaflets.  The  upper  leaves  may  be 
entire.  Styles,  brownish,  very  plumose,  1  inch  long.  May  to 
July. 

A  climbing  plant  reaching  10  feet  in  length,  found  in  rich 
soil  from  Ohio,  West  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia. 
Found  4,090  feet  high  in  Virginia. 

4$o 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

Marsh  Clematis 
C.  crispa. — Flowers,   purple,   bell-shape,    i     to    l\    inches   long, 
the    tips    of    the    sepals    deeply    curved    backward.       No    pi 
Fruit,    silky.     Leaves,    pinnate,    mostly    3-divided,    th< 
often  3-parted.     May  to  August. 

A  marsh  species  found  in  Virginia  and  southward. 

Shrub  Yellow-root 
Zanthorhiza  apiifblia.  —  Family \  Crowfoot.     Color,  dull  purple. 
Petals,  smaller  than  the  sepals,  which  are  petal-like  and  give  the 
color  to  the  flower.     Stamens,  5  or  10.     Pistils,  5  to  15.     Fit 
small,  on  short  pedicels,  2  or  3  together,  making  long  spiki 
compound  racemes  along  the  slender  branches.      Leaves,  Oil  slen- 
der, long  petioles,  pinnate  or  bipinnate,  the  leaflets  being  again 
divided,    all  doubly  serrate,    pointed,   of  a  glossy  green.     April 
and  May. 

Low,  shrubby  plants,  1  to  2  feet  high,  with  yellow  bark  and 
root,  both  very  bitter  to  the  taste  found  along  shaded  banks 
of  streams  from  southwestern  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
southward. 

Sweet-scented  Shrub.     Strawberry  Shrub.     Carolina 

Allspice 
Calycanthus  floridus. — Family,  Calycanthus.  Color,  brown  or 
purplish.  Petals  and  sepals  many,  joined  to  the  top  of  the  calyx- 
tube,  narrow,  thick.  Stamens,  many,  some  of  them  without 
anthers.  Pistils,  springing  from  within  the  calyx-tube.  This 
cup  enlarges,  and  when  ripe,  incloses  the  achenes.  Flowers,  sin- 
gle, at  the  ends  of  leafy  shoots.  When  crushed  they  give  out  the 
fragrance  of  a  strawberry.      Leaves,  O]  entire,  oval,  downy 

underneath,  smooth  above,  dark  green.     April  to  August. 

A  shrub  4  to  8  feet  high,  thickly  branching,  known  in  the 
North  mostly  as  a  cultivated  garden  shrub;  indigenous  from 
Virginia  to  North  Carolina  and  westward,  growing  in  rich  soil 
on  hillsides. 

C.  ferttlis, — A  similar  species  with  unscented  flowers,  found  in 

the  Alleghany  Mountains.      Its    fruit    is   said    to  tx 
sheep. 

Climbing  Fumitory.      Mountain  Fringe 
Adlumia    fungosa.—  Family,    Fumitory.     Color,    white   or   pur- 
plish,  sometimes   pinkish.      Sepals,  2,   sealc-like.      Petals,  4,  irreg- 
ular, in    2    pairs,  double-spurred,    the   inside    pair   narrower   than 

45i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

the  other,  all  united  and  becoming  sponge-like,  inclosing  the  pod. 
Stamens,  6,  their  filaments  in  pairs  above,  united  into  a  tube  be- 
low. Pod,  i -celled.  Leaves,  alternate,  thrice-pinnate,  the  deli- 
cate leaflets  divided  into  very  small  lobes,  pale  green  underneath, 
thin,  on  slender  petioles  by  which  the  plant  climbs.  Flowers,  in 
leaf-axils,  drooping,  panicled.     June  to  October. 

A  lovely  plant,  weak-stemmed,  climbing  over  shrubs  and 
herbs,  in  wet  grounds  or  recently  burned-over  woods,  from 
New  England  to  Michigan  and  southward  to  North  Carolina, 
where  it  may  be  found  in  the  mountains. 

Blue  Vetch 

Vtcia  Cracca. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  blue,  becoming  purplish, 
occasionally  white.  Calyx,  short,  with  unequal  teeth.  Corolla, 
papilionaceous.  Flowers,  2  men  long  in  densely  flowered  racemes, 
not  drooping,  i -sided,  axillary,  long-peduncled.  Leaves,  sessile, 
pinnate,  of  10  to  12  pairs  of  sharply  pointed  leaflets,  terminated 
by  tendrils.     June  to  August. 

A  climbing,  herbaceous,  perennial  vine,  softly  downy  along 
the  stems,  found  not  infrequently  along  roadsides  and  in 
borders  of  thickets  or  in  fields,  where  its  bright  blue  flowers 
are  conspicuous.  From  New  England  to  New  Jersey,  Ken- 
tucky, and  westward. 

Hairy  Vetch  or  Tare 

V.  hirsuta.  —  Color,  pale  purplish  blue.  Flowers,  3  to  6  to- 
gether, on  peduncles,  arising  from  the  axils,  the  raceme  a  little 
shorter  than  the  leaves.  Pod,  hairy.  Leaves,  of  12  to  14  leaflets, 
terminated  by  2  or  3  delicate  tendrils,  the  leaflets  cut  square  at 
apex,  notched,  nearly  sessile.     May  to  September. 

A  climbing  vetch  which  may  be  known  by  prominent 
stipules,  long-eared  or  toothed.  Waste  places  and  dry  fields 
over  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States. 

V.  carolinikna. — Color,  whitish,  the  keel  of  the  papilionaceous 
corolla  tipped  with  blue.  Flowers,  small,  less  densely  clustered 
than  in  the  preceding  racemes,  shorter  than  the  leaves,  somewhat 
drooping.  Leaves,  of  4  to  9  pairs  of  linear,  smooth,  entire  leaflets, 
terminating  with  one  or  more  tendrils.     May  to  July. 

Trailing  or  climbing,  stem  slender,  2  to  3  feet  long.  River- 
banks  from  New  England  to  Georgia,  westward  to  Minnesota 
and  Kansas. 

452 


VINES   AX  I)   SHRUBS 

Pea  Vine 
7.  americana. — Color,  purplish.      This  fblUers, 

rather  large,   in   the  raceme,  which  ia  shorter  than   tl  i 
straggling.     Leaves,   5   to   7   pain  ended   by  long  tendrils,  with 
stipules  nearly  \  inch  broad  and  sharply  toothed.     M 
gust. 

Wet  soil,  as  river-banks,  from  Virginia  and  Kentucky 
northward.     Pound  3,500  feel  high  in  Virginia. 

Groundnut.     Wild  Bean 

Apios    tuberosa  (name  means  "  a  pear,"  from   the  shape  of  the 
tubers). — Family,  Pulse.     Co  lor,  brownish  purple.     Calyx,  slightly 
2-lipped,   the   2    upper   teeth    short,    the   2    lateral    Ones    near: 
visible,  the  lower  one  long.     ( 'oroUa,  papilkm  ceous,  with  a  br 
turned-back  standard  and  scythe--  h        d  keei.      Flowers,  in  short, 
thick   racemes,  on    axillary    peduncles,    pleasantly  vioL-t-scented. 
Leaves,  divided  into  3  to  7  long,  narrow  leaflets,  with  small  stipules 
Leaves  much  '  »nger  than  the  raceme  of  flowers.     Stems,  slender, 
somewhat  hairy,  with  a  little  milky  juice,  climbing  and  massing 
over  bushes.     Podo  produce  kidney-shaped  beans  variously 
prettily  marked  and  colored.     July  to  September. 

This  plant  bears  strings  of  underground,  edible  tubers. 
joined  by  offshoots.  It  is  of  prolific  growth,  found  in  low. 
wet  grounds  and  moist  thickets  ff  mi  New  England  t<>  Florida 
and  westward. 

Wild  Bean.     Bean  Vine.     Kidney  Bean 

Phaseolus  polystachyus. — Fa mily,  Pulse.  Color,  purple.  Calyx, 
5-toothed,  the  2  Upper  divisions  somewhat  United.  Corolla, 
papilionaceous,  with  a  spirally  coiled  keel  including  the  stamens 
and  style.  Pod,  long,  curved,  4  to  5-seeded,  tipped  with  the 
base  of  the  style.  Leaves,  3-foliate,  with  roundish  to  ovate, 
pointed  leaflets,  2  to  4  inches  long.     July  to  September. 

Flowers  in  short  or  long  racemes,  often  crowded  <  )ne  of 
our  prettiest  climbers,  overtopping  shrubs  and  stout  herbs. 
displaying    handsome    (lowers    and    graceful    leaves,    making 

many  rough  and  bare  spots  soft  and  beautiful.     Roadsides, 

thickets,   etc.,    from    Connect ieut     to    Illinois,    southward    to 

Florida. 

The  garden  kidney  <  >r  st  ring-bean.  P.  Vulgaris,  was  pn  »bably 
imported  from  South  America  by  Spanish  slave-traders. 

Prom  before  the  time  when  Daniel  and  his  three  friends 

begged  for  a  died  of  pulse  (beans)  in  exchange  for  the  ki: 

table,  this  vegetable  has  been  esteemed  a  valuable  food. 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Trailing  Wild  Bean 

Strophostyles  hehvola. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  greenish  white 
varying  to  purplish.  Flowers,  3  to  5  in  a  head  at  the  end  of  a 
peduncle  which  lengthens  as  the  season  advances.  Leaves,  pin- 
nately  3-divided,  on  petioles  shorter  than  the  peduncles.  Leaf- 
lets, broadly  ovate,  pointed  at  apex,  rounded  at  base,  smooth, 
thickish,  with  small,  narrow  stipules.     July  to  October. 

Stems  hairy,  somewhat  branched,  reclining,  2  to  8  feet  long, 
but  seldom  climbing  high.  Following  the  coast  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  Florida  and  westward  to  Texas,  in  sandy  shores 
and  along  river-banks. 

Pink  Wild  Bean 

S,  umbellata. — Color,  pink,  with  a  purplish  tinge,  fading  to  yel- 
lowish. Much  like  the  last,  with  slenderer  stems,  1  to  5  feet  long, 
downy  with  soft  hairs.  Leaves,  divided  into  3  leaflets,  on  short 
petioles  with  minute  stipules.  Flowers,  in  a  head  on  long  pe- 
duncles.    Prostrate,  not  climbing.     July  to  September. 

New  Jersey  and  Long  Island,  south  to  Florida,  west  to 
Louisiana. 

Butterfly  Pea 

CtUoria  mariana.  —  Family,  Pulse.  Color,  pale  blue.  Corolla, 
very  large,  handsome,  2  inches  long.  Flowers,  1  to  3  on  short 
peduncles,  axillary.  Leaves,  of  3  separate  leaflets,  each  on  short 
stalks,  narrow,  tipped  with  a  little  point,  attended  by  small,  nar- 
row stipules.     June  to  August. 

The  plant  climbs  by  twining  or  is  self-sustaining.  Dry 
soil,  on  banks  and  hillsides,  New  Jersey  and  New  York  to 
Florida  and  westward. 

Hog  Peanut 

Amphicarpa  monoica. — Family,  Pulse.  Color,  purplish.  Corolla, 
papilionaceous.  Flowers,  numerous,  in  nodding  racemes.  Pod, 
1  inch  long.  Leaves,  of  3  thin,  delicate,  ovate,  sharply  pointed 
leaflets.  Low  plants  with  twining  stems  covered  with  brown 
hairs. 

Besides  the  ordinary  flowers,  there  are  lower  ones  on  thread- 
like stems  near  the  base,  or  underground,  without  corolla. 
These  produce  a  one-sided,  swollen,  very  fruitful  pod.  Hogs 
are  fond  of  them  and  uproot  them,  from  which  the  common 
name  has  arisen. 

"  If  we  carefully  uproot  the  soil  the  peanut  is  soon  disclosed 

454 


VINES   AND   SHRUBS 

— a  small,    [-seeded,   rounded  pod,   pallid  with  fine 

brown  hairs,  and  which  not  one  person  in  a  thou 

who  know  this  common  plant  lias  i 

seeds  that  plant  th  •  soil   for  n  I  arc  the 

fruits  of  queer  Little  underground  blossoms,  t>  irin 

resemblance  to  those  at  the  'other  end'  than  i 

pods." — W.  H.  Gibson. 

Broom  Crowberry 
Corema    Conrkdii. — -Family,    Crowberry,       Color,    purple    and 
brown,   from    the    stamens.     /.•  a  ■   .   Long,   needle-like,  den 
clustered,  especially  at  the  ends  of  the  branches.     /■  tami- 

nate  and  pistillate,  in  terminal  heads,  surrounded  bj 
bract  lets,  without  calyx  and  corolla.     Stamens,  usually  3,  with 
Long,    purple,    tufted   filaments   and    brownish    anthers,    sho 
Style,  3 -divided,  with,  sometimes,  toothed  stigm  mall 

dry  drupe,  inclosing  3  or  4  nutlets.     April  and  M 

A  small,  curious  shrub,  from  6  inches  to  2  Peel  high,  found 
in  a  few  places  near  the  coast,  Long  Island.  New  Jersey,  and 
Massachusetts  to  Newfoundland,  where  it  mak<  Tho- 

reau,  "pretty  green  mounds,  4  or  5  feet  in  diameter  by  1  foot 
high — soft,  springy  beds  for  the  wayfarer." 

Burning  Bush.     Wahoo 

Evonymus  atropurpureus.—  Family,  Staff  Tree.  Color,  dark 
purple.  Calyx,  of  4  or  5  divisions,  produced  under  a  short,  flat 
disk.  From  the  edge  of  the  disk  arise  4  or  5  petals,  roundish, 
spreading,  and  as  many  short  stamens.  At  length  the  di 
and  adheres  to  the  deeply  lobed,  crimson  pod.  Flowers,  in  V 
clusters  in  the  axils,  long-peduncled.  Leaves,  oblong  or  ovate,  sharp- 
ly pointed  at  apex,  acute  at  base,  narrowly  tcothed,on  petioles.  June. 

Cultivated  for  its  brilliant  pods  in  autumn,   but 
wild  from  New  York  to  Wisconsin  and  southward  to  Florida. 

Strawberry  Bush 
E.    americknus. —  Color,     greenish     purple, 
sessile,  thick,  glossy  green,  2  to  3  inches  long,  slightly  haiv. 
the  veins  underneath.     Parts  of  the  Sower  in  five        I 
surrounded  by  red  pulp  (an  aril),  are  attached  to  a  crimson,  rough- 
warty  pod. 

A  shrub,  2  to  5  feet  in  height,  irregular,  very  striking  when 
in  fruit.     I  have  found   it    in   Mew  Jersey  along  bank 
streams  and   drier    roadsides.     New   York    southward    and 

Westward  to  Illinois. 

4  5  5 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Running  Strawberry  Bush 

E,  obovatus.  —  Color,  greenish  purple.  A  trailing  shrub,  with 
branches  rooting.  Leaves,  with  short  petioles,  opposite,  thin, 
obtuse,  inversely  ovate,  finely  toothed.  Peduncles,  shorter  than 
the  leaves,  bearing  i  to  4  small  flowers.     April  and  May. 

Seldom  more  than  1  foot  high,  spreading  on  the  ground. 
Found  in  low,  moist  grounds  from  Pennsylvania,  Kentucky, 
Indiana  northward.     The  commonest  of  the  three  species. 

Bittersweet 

Solatium  dulcamara.— Family,  Nightshade.  Color,  bluish  pur- 
ple. Leaves,  on  petioles,  the  upper  ones  deeply  parted  near  the 
base  into  opposite,  ear-like  leaflets;  the  lower  ones  heart-shape, 
acutely  pointed  at  apex.  Calyx  and  corolla,  5 -parted.  Corolla 
wheel  -  shape,  the  points  often  turning  backward  much  like  a 
potato  blossom;  a  pair  of  green  spots  on  the  base  of  each  lobe. 
Stamens,  5,  their  filaments  short,  anthers  closing  around  the 
style,  opening  by  2  chinks  at  the  top.  Fruit,  an  oval,  red  berry. 
June  to  September. 

A  woody-stemmed  plant,  climbing  or  twining  over  fences 
and  stone  walls  along  roadsides.  The  cymes  of  delicate 
flowers  give  place  to  crimson,  showy  berries  in  fall. 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 


CHAPTER    X 

RIVER  BANKS— BROOKS—RUNNING    STREAMS— SHORES  OF    TIDE- 
WATER  HAYS 

To  an  observant  person  nothing  is  more  evident  than  the  change 
of  plant  life,  often  abrupt,  with  change  of  soil.  For  miles  along 
the  dusty  road  the  same  daisies  and  asters  repeal  th< 
Then  an  unusually  verdant  spot,  with  specifically  different 
growths,  appears,  and  unerringly  indicates  wetter  soil,  a  spring, 
a  running  brook,  or  a  river.  In  its  wake  its  own  belovi 
tread,  hugging  its  banks,  refusing  to  stray  back  into  the  drier 
fields  or  woods.  The  banks  of  streams  are  often  marshy,  with 
overflowing  and  stagnant  water.  The  dividing  line,  therefore. 
between  vegetation  peculiar  to  river  banks  and  swamp  plants  is 
sometimes  difficult  to  trace.  A  flower  of  wet  soil  not  found  in 
this  chapter  should  be  sought  in  the  next. 

Says  Thoreau,   "Rivers  and  lakes  are  the  great  protectors  of 
plants  against  the  aggression  of  the  forest,  by  their  annual  rise 
and  fall,  keeping  open  a  narrow  strip  where  these  more  deli 
plants  have  light  and  space  in  which  to  grow." 


FOR    DESCRIPTIONS    SBB    PAGE    klllklV 

Bur-reed   (Sparganiunt  eurycarpum).     Page  40. 

(S.  simplex).      Page  38. 

(S.  minimum).     Page  40. 

Arrow-head  (Sagittaria  latifolia).  Page  40.  Sometimes  grow- 
ing in  water. 

Water  Plantain  (Alisma  PlantOg<HiquaUca).  Page 40.  Shallow 
water. 

Water-weed  {Elodea  canadensis).     Page  40.     Common  in  slow 

streams. 
Sweei  Flag.    Calamus  (Acorus  Calamus).    Page  aa.    A 

in    swamps. 
Spiderwort  (Tradescantia  virginiana).     Pag''  898.     Alluvial  soiL 

457 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    PL  AVERS 

Great  Solomon's  Seal  (Polygonatum  commutatum).     Page  156. 

Also  in  wet  meadows. 
Carrion-flower    (Smilax  hcrbacea).     Page  377.     Common  and 

variable. 
Glaucous  Willow  (Salir  discolor).     Page  378.     Shrub  or  small 

tree. 
Silky  Wit  low       .  sericea).     Page  378. 
Common  Hop  (Humulus  Lupulus).     Page  383.     This  may  also  be 

found  in  dry  soil. 
Pale  Dock  {Rumex  altissimus).     Page  26.     In  alluvial  soil. 
Mild  Water  Pepper  {Polygonum  hydropiperoides).     Page  252. 
Water  Pepper  or  Common  Smartweed  (P.  hydropiper).     Page 

27. 
Indian  Chickweed.     Carpet  Weed  (Mollugo  verticillata) .    Page 

62.     Often  a  weed  in  the  garden. 
Small-flowered  Crowfoot  (Ranunculus  abortivus).     Page  164. 

Found  also  on  damp  hills. 
The   Canada  Anemone  (Anemone  canadensis),  of  the  Crowfoot 
Family,  is  similar  to  species  of  the  same  genus  described  on  page 
71.     No  petals;  $  white  sepals.    Flowers  one  inch  across.    Leaves, 
much  cleft  or  parted,  those  from  the  root  with  long  petioles. 
On  stem  a  primary  involucre  of  3  sessile  leaves,  each  3 -cleft. 
Above  this  the  stem  forks  twice,   and  each  branch  bears  a 
second  involucre  of  3 -divided  leaves  below  the  flower.     Found 
north  of  Pennsylvania.     May  to  August. 
Virgin's  Bower  (Clematis  virginiana).     Page  392. 
Wild    Monkshood     (Aconitum    uncinatum).     Page  310.     Along 

streams  in  the  mountains  south  of  Pennsylvania. 
Shrub   Yellow-root   (Z author hiza  apiij olid).     Page  451.     More 

common  southward. 
Moonseed   (Menispermum  canadense).     Page  394. 
Wormseed     Mustard     (Erysimum    cheiranthoides) .      Page    170. 

Sterile  or  sandy  soil. 
Cuckoo  Flower  (Cardamine  pratensis).     Page  80.      Often  found 

in  boggy  places. 
Ditch  Stonecrop  (Penthorum  sedoidcs).     Page  31. 
Pigmy  Weed  (Tillaea  aquatica) .     Page  3 1 .     Not  far  from  the  coast. 
Large-flowered  Syringa  (Philadelphus  grandifiorus) .    Page  394. 

A  shrub  sometimes  cultivated. 
N ineb ark  (Physocar pus  opulifolius).     Page  395.     A  shrub  some- 
times cultivated;   found  wild  on  rocky  banks  of  streams. 
Agrimony  (Agrimonia  parviflora).    Page  176.    Sandy  river  banks. 
Dog  Rose  (Rosa  canina).     Page  440.     River  banks  in  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Cultivated. 
Wild  Yellow   or  Red  Plum  (Prunus  americana).     Page  400. 
Large  shrub  or  small  tree. 

458 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Wild  Senna  (Cassia  marilandica) .     Page  177. 
Vetch  (Vicia  caroliniana) .     Page  452. 
Vetchling.     Marsh  Pea  (Laihyrus    palustri         1 
Trailing  Wild   Bean  (Sir opho styles  helvola).     P 

the  coast. 
Strawberry  Bush   (Evonymus  anteruu     s) 
(E.  obovatus).      Page  456.  ^ 

Shrubby   Bittersweet.     Climbing    Bittersweet,      \\ 
(Celastrus  scandens).    Page  389.    A  twining  shrub.     Pound 

in  damp  thickets. 
Jewel-weed.     Touch-me-not    (Impatient    pallida).     P 

Often  along  roadsides  where  there  are  springs. 
Spotted  Touch-me-not  (/.  biflora).     Page   185. 
(Cissus  Ampelopsis).     Page  391.     South  of  Virginia. 
Frost  Grape  (Vitis  cord  1 folia).     Page  39a.     Southern. 
River-bank  ok  Sweet-scented  Grape  (V.vulpina).     P 
Muscadine  (V.  rotundifolia).     Page  39a.     South  of  Delaw; 
Great  St.  John's-wort  (Hypericum  Ascyron).      V. 
Sweet  White  Violet  (Viola pollens) .    Page  94.    Banks  of  brooks. 
Mermaid  Weed  (Proserpinaca  palustris).     Page  35.     In  the  mud 

of  shallow  water. 
Angelica  Tree.     Hercules'  Club  (Aralia  spinosa).     Page  408. 
Meadow  Parsnip  (Thaspium  barbinode).     Page  107. 
Great  Angelica  (Angelica  atropurpurea).     Page  108. 
Cornel  (Cornus  paniculata).     Page  406. 
Fetter  Bush  (Lcucothoe  Catesbaei).     Page  410.     A  shrub  south 

of  Virginia. 
Water  Pimpernel.  BROOK-WBED(Samolus  Jlorihundus).  Page  1  16. 

Near  the  coast. 
Storax   (Styrax  americana).      Page  418. 

Swamp  Privet  (Adelia  acuminata).     Page  431.      Southern. 
Fringe-tree    (Chionanthus    virginica).     Page  4x8.     Called 

Old  Man's  Beard.     Seen  in  the  North  in  gardens. 
Indian  Hemp  (Apocynum  cannahium).     Page4iS.      Sandy  banks 

of  streams. 
Hedge  Bindweed  (Convolvulus  sepiiDn).     Page  4x9. 
Wild  Sweet  William  (Phlox  maculafa).      P.i^c  384. 
Forget-me-not  (Myosotis  laxa).     Page  330.     Banks  of  rills  and 

brooks. 
Scorpion  Grass.     Trim:  Forgbt-MB-NOT  (Af. 

33°- 
Virginian  Cowslip.    Bluebells  (MerUnsia  virginica).    Page  330. 
Fog-fruit  (JLippia  lanceolata).     Page  120. 
Mad-dog   Skullcap  (Scutellaria  lateriflora).      V 
Marsh  Skullcap  (S.  galericulala) .     Page  .335. 
False  Dragon  Head  (Physostegi 

459 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

Spearmint  (Mentha  spicata).     Page  344. 

Peppermint  (M.  piperita).     Page  344. 

Water  Mint  (M.  aquatica).     Page  344. 

Oswego  Tea.     Bee  Balm  (Monarda  didyma).     Page  289. 

Water  Hyssop  (Bacopa  Monniera).     Page  347. 

Mudwort  (Limosella  aquatica,  var.  tenuifolia) .     Page  125. 

Water  Speedwell  (Veronica  Anagallis-aquatica) .     Page  348. 

American  Brookline  (V.  americana).     Page  348. 

Northern  Bedstraw  (Galium  boreale).     Page  128.     Also  rocky 

woods. 
Button-weed  (Diodia  teres).     Page  129. 
Buttonbush  (C 'e phalanthus  occidentalis) .     Page  420. 
One-seeded  Bur  Cucumber  (Sicyos  angulatus).     Page  423. 
Wild  Balsam-apple  (Echinocystis  lobata).     Page  424. 
Cardinal-flower  (Lobelia  cardinalis) .     Page  292. 
Great  Lobelia   (L.   siphilitica) .     Page  353.     Also  in  low,  wet 

meadows. 
(L.  Canbyi).     Page  355. 
Water    Lobelia    (L.    Dortmanna).     Page   355.     Sometimes    an 

aquatic. 
Sunflower  (Helianthus  decapetalus) .     Page  230. 
Climbing    Hempweed    (Mikania   scandens).      Page   448.     Near 

the  coast. 
Crooked-stem  Aster  (Aster  prenanthoides) .     Page  364. 
Autumn  Sneezeweed  (Helenium  autumnale).     Page  234. 
Coltsfoot  (Tussilago  Farfara).     Page  235.      Along  brooks  and 

small  streams. 
Indian  Plantain  (Cacalia  suaveolens).     Page  146. 


CHAPTER    XI 

SWAMPS  (INCLUDING  PINE  BARREN  SWAMPS),  BOGS,  AND  MARSHES 

"Hope  and  the  future  for  me  are  not  in  lawns  and  cultivated 
fields,  not  in  towns  and  cities,  but  in  the  impervious  and  quaking 
swamps.  When,  formerly,  I  have  analyzed  my  partiality  for  some 
farm  which  I  had  contemplated  purchasing,  I  have  frequently 
found  that  I  was  attracted  solely  by  a  few  square  rods  of  imper- 
meable and  unfathomable  bog — a  natural  sink  in  one  corner  of 
it.  That  was  the  jewel  which  dazzled  me.  I  derive  more  of  my 
subsistence  from  the  swamps  which  surround  my  native  town  than 
from  the  cultivated  gardens  in  the  village.  There  are  no  richer 
parterres  to  my  eyes  than  the  dense  beds  of  dwarf  andromeda 
(Cassandra  calyculata)  which  cover  these  tender  places  on  the 
earth's  surface.  Botany  cannot  go  farther  than  tell  me  the 
names  of  the  shrubs  which  grow  there — the  high  blueberry, 
panicled  andromeda,  lambkill,  azalea,  and  rhodora — all  standing 
in  the  quaking  sphagnum.  .  .  .  Why  not  put  my  house,  my  parlor, 
behind  this  plot  instead  of  behind  that  meager  assemblage  of 
curiosities,  that  poor  apology  for  Nature  and  Art  which  I  call  my 
front  yard?" — From  Thoreau's  Excursions. 

The  dividing  line  between  this  and  the  first  chapter  is  often 
faint,  since  the  banks  of  streams  may  be  marshy. 

Cat-tail  Flag  (Typha  latifolia).     Page  375- 

Narrow-leaved  Cat-tail    (T.   angustifolia) .     Page  375.     Near 

the  coast. 
Arrow  Grass  (Triglochin   maritima).     Page    20.     Salt   marshes. 
Water  Arum    (Calla  palustris).     Page  42. 
Skunk  Cabbage  (Symplocarpus  foetidus).     Page  21. 
Yellow-eyed  Grass   (Xyris    caroliniana) .     Page     14c).     Sandy 

shores  and  wet  places. 
(X.  flexuosa).     Page  147.     Wet  sandy  soil. 
(X.fimbriata).  Page  149.  Wet  pine  barrens. 
(X .  arenicola) .  Page  149.  Wet  pine  barrens. 
Bog  Asphodel  (N artJiecium  americanum) .     Page  149.     Wet  pine 

barrens. 
Swamp  Pink  (Helonias  bullata).     Page  298.     Rare  and  local. 
Mountain  Bellwort  (Oakesiapuberula) .     Page  1  ;o. 

461 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

White  Hellebore.  Indian  Poke  {Veratrum  viride).  Page  23. 
Three-leaved  Solomon's  Seal  (Smilacina  trijolia).  Page  48. 
Fleur-de-lis.  Larger  Blue  Flag  {Iris  versicolor).  Page  300. 
Slender  Blue  Flag  (7.  prismatica).     Page  371.     Swamps  near 

the  coast. 
Ram's  Head  Lady's  Slipper  {Cypripcdium  arietinum) .     Page  302 . 

Also  in  rich,  moist  woods. 
Showy  Lady's  Slipper  {C.  hirsutum).     Page  50. 
Small  White  Lady's  Slipper  (C.  candidum).     The  lip  of  this 

species  is  white,   striped  with  purple  near  the  base,   within. 

Like  the  stemless  lady's  slipper  the  lip  is  a    pocket   or    sac. 

Sepals  and  petals  are  greenish  with  purple  spots.     Stem,  leafy, 

one-flowered.     One  of  the  rarer  orchids,  growing  in  swamps 

in  New  York  and  southward,  flowering  in  May  and  June. 
Smaller  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper  (C.  parviflorum) .     Page  159. 
Rein    Orchis    (Habenaria  flava).     Page    23.     Common    south- 
ward. 
(H.  obtusata).     Page  23.    Found  also  in  rich  woods. 
Yellow  Fringed  Orchis  {H.  ciliaris).     Page  162.     Also  in  wet 

meadows. 
White  Fringed  Orchis  {H.  blcphariglottis).     Page  52. 
Small  Purple  Fringed  Orchis  (H.  psycodes).     Page  246.     In 

wet,  open  meadows. 
Rose  Pogonia  {Pogonia  ophioglossoides) .     Page  248. 
Calopogon  {Calopogon  pulchellus).     Page  250.     Also  in  low,  wet 

meadows. 
Arethusa  {Arethusa  bulbosa).     Page  250. 
Slender  Ladies'  Tresses  {Spiranthes  cernua).     Page  54. 
Twayblade  {Listera  cordata).     Page  304. 
Adder's    Mouth    {Microstylis  monophyllos) .     Page  24.     Also  in 

cold,  moist  woods. 
Green  Adder's  Mouth  (M.  unifolia).     Page  24. 
Twayblade  {Liparis  Loeselii).      Page  24.     Local,  found  also  in 

damp  thickets. 
Lizard's  Tail  (Saururus  cernuus).     Page  56. 
Sweet  Gale  (Myrica  Gale).     Page  379. 
Low  or  Swamp  Birch  {Betula  pumila).     Page  381. 
Speckled  or  Hoary  Alder  (Alnus  incana).     Page  382. 
Great  Water  Dock  {Rumex  Britannica).     Page  26. 
Swamp  Dock  {R.  verticillatus) .     Page  26. 
Marsh    Chickweed.     Swamp    Starwort     {Stellaria    uliginosa). 

Page   65. 
Water  Plantain  Spearwort  {Ranunculus  laxicaulis).  Page  164. 

Often  in  wet  ditches. 
Low  Spearwort  {R.  fnisillus).     Page  164.     Near  the  coast. 
Cursed  Crowfoot  (jR.  sceleratus).     Page  164. 

462 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Marsh  Marigold  (Caltha  palustris).     Page  166. 

Spreading  Globeflower  (Trollius  laxus).     Page  168. 

Goldthread  (Coptis  trifolia).     Page  71.     Also  in  moist  woods. 

Umbrella  Leaf  (Diphylleia  cymosa).     Page   75.     Along    moun- 
tains of  Virginia  and  southward,  beside  springs. 

Water     Cress     (Radicula     Nasturtium-aquaticum).        Page    79. 
Wet  ditches,  etc. 

Marsh  Cress  (R.  palustris).     Page  171.     Often  growing  in  shal- 
low water. 

Pitcher-plant  (Sarracenia  purpurea).     Page  31  r. 

Round-leaved  Sundew  (Drosera   rotundifolia) .      Page    81.      In 
wet,    sandy,  springy  ground,  and  in  swamps. 

Long-leaved  Sundew  (D.  longifolia) .     Page  83.     In  pine  barrens 
growing  in  wet  sand. 

Thread-leaved  Sundew  (D.  HUformis).    Page  312.    Pine  barrens 
near  the  coast. 

Golden  Saxifrage  (Chrysosplenium  americanum).     Page  ^$. 

Grass    of   Parnassus  (Pamassia  carotin iana) .     Page  85.     Also 
on  wet  limestone  rocks. 

Swamp  Black  Currant  (Ribes  lacustrc).     Page  384. 

Chokeberry  (Pyrus  arbutijolia) .     Page  395. 

Marsh  Five-finger  (Potentilla  palustris).     Page  312. 

Silver  Weed  (P.  Anscrina).     Page  174.     Brackish  marshes. 

Water  or  Purple  Avens  (Gcum  rivalc).     Page  3  1  2 .     Also  in  wet 
meadows. 

Canadian  Burnet  {Sanguisorba  canadensis).     Page  87. 

Swamp  Rose  (Rosa  Carolina).     Page  437. 

(R.  nitida).      Page  439. 

Dwarf  Wild  Rose  (R.  lucida).     Page  439. 

Marsh  Milkwort  (Polygala  cruciata).     Page  320. 

(P.  brevifolia).     Page  321. 

Orange  Milkwort  (P.  lutea).     Page  183. 

Poison    Sumach    or    Poison    Dogwood    (Rhus    Vemix).     Page 
387. 

Dahoon  Holly  (Ilex  Cassine).     Page  403.     Virginia  and  south- 
ward. 

Buckthorn  (Rliamnus  caroUniana).     Page  390.     Also  on  river 
banks. 

(R.  alnifolia).     Page  390. 

Swamp  Rose  Mallow   (Hibiscus  Moscheutos).     Page  265.     Es- 
pecially in  brackish  marshes,  near  the  coast. 

Crimson-eyed    or   White  Hibiscus  (H.  oculiroseus).     Page  94. 
Especially  near  the  coast. 

Loblolly    Bay    (Gordonia   Lasianthus).     Page    404.     Near    the 
coast,  south  of  Virginia. 

Marsh  St.  John's-wort  (Hypericum  virginicum).     Page   267. 
30  463 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

(H.  virgatum).     Page    190.     Pennsylvania    southward,  in    damp 

pine  barrens. 
Lance-leaved    Violet   (Viola    lanceolate).     Page  94.     Also  in 

damp  meadows. 
Swamp  Loosestrife  (Decodon  vertic Hiatus) .     Page  269. 
Loosestrife  (Lythrum  hyssopifolia).    Page  323.     Near  the  coast. 
(L.  linear e).     Page  96.     Brackish  marshes. 

Deergrass.     Meadow  Beauty    (Rhexia  virginica).     Page  271. 
(R.mariana).     Page  271.     Sandy  swamps. 
Seedbox    (Ludvigia   alter nifolia).     Page    194.     Also   moist,    rich 

woods. 
Water  Purslane   (L.  palustris).     Page  271. 
(L.   hirtella).      Page    105.     Wet  pine  barrens. 
(L.  spliaerocarpa) .      Page  3  5 .      Often  in  water. 
(L.  poly  car  pa).     Page  35. 
(L.  linearis).     Page  195. 

Soft  Willow  Herb  (Epilobiiim  mollc).      Page  273. 
Water  Pennywort  (Hydrocotyle  amcricana).     Page  100. 
Mock    Bishop's-weed    (Ptilimnium    capillaccum).      Page    102. 

Brackish  marshes. 
Water  Hemlock  {Cicuta  bulhifera).     Page  104. 
Spotted  Cowbane  (C.  maculata).     Page  104. 
(Berula  erecta).     Page  104. 

Water  Parsnip   (Sium  cicutaejolium).     Page  104. 
Cow  Parsnip  (Heracleum  lanatum).     Page  106. 
Cowbane  (Oxypolis  rigidior).     Page  106. 
Hemlock  Parsley  (Conioselinum  chinense).     Page  106. 
Silky  Cornel.     Kinnikinnik  (Cornus  Amomum).     Page  406. 
Red-osier  Dogwood   (C.  stolonifera) .     Page  406. 
Stiff  Cornel  (C.  stricta).     Page  406. 
Clammy  Azalea.     White  Swamp  Honeysuckle  (Rhododendron 

viscosum).     Page  411.     Near  the  coast. 
Purple  Azalea.     Pinxter  Flower  (R.  nudiflorum).     Page  441- 
Rhodora  (R.  canadense).     Page  441. 
Sheep  Laurel.     Lambkill.     Wicky  (Kalmia  angustifolia) .  P ^age 

442.     Also  on  hillsides  and  in  pastures. 
Pale  Laurel  (K.  polifolia).     Page  442.     Also  on  mountains. 
Bog  Rosemary  (Andromeda  glaucophylla) .     Page  412. 
Leather  Leaf.     Dwarf  Cassandra  (Chamaedaphne  calyculata) . 

Page  413. 
Moxie  Plum.  Creeping  Snowberry.  Capillaire  (Chiogenes  his- 

pidula) .    Page  114.    Found  in  peat  bogs  as  well  as  mossy  woods. 
Dwarf  Huckleberry  (Gaylussacia  dmnosa).    Page  444.    Sandy 

swamps  near  the  coast. 
Black   Huckleberry  (G.  baccata).     Page  442.      Also  in  rocky 

woods. 

464 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

Blueberry  (V actinium  virgatum).     Page  444. 

Canada  Blueberry  (V.  canadense).     Page  417.     Also  in  damp 

woods. 
Swamp  Blueberry  (V .  corymbosum) .     Page  417. 
Cranberry  (V.  Oxycoccus).     Page  276. 
Large  American  Cranberry  (V .  macrocar pon) .     Page  276. 
Swamp  Milkweed  (Asclepias  incarnata).     Page  282. 
Hedge  Nettle   (Stachys  hyssopijolia).     Page  339. 
(S.   tenuifolia).     Page   340. 
Woundwort  (S.  palustris).     Page  339. 
Bugle  Weed  {Lycopus  virginicus).     Page  121.     Also  in  low,  wet 

meadows. 
False  Pimpernel  (Ilysanthes  dubia).     Page  348. 
Hedge  Hyssop  {Gratiola  virginiana) .     Page   127.     Also  on  wet 

shores. 
Golden  Hedge  Hyssop  (G.  aurea).     Page  204.     Often  near  the 

coast,  along  shores  of  fresh- water  bays. 
Marsh  Speedwell  (Veronica  scutellata).     Page  350. 
Lousewort  (Pedicularis  lanceolata).     Page  208. 
Small  Bedstraw  (Galium  trifiduni).     Page  128. 
Swamp   Fly    Honeysuckle    (Lonicera  oblongifolia) .     Page  436. 

In  swamps  of  arbor  vitae  and  larch  woods. 
Mountain  Fly  Honeysuckle  (L.  caerulea).     Page  435. 
Arrow- wood  (Viburnum  dentatum).     Page  422. 
Withe-rod.     Wild  Raisin  (V.  cassinoides).     Page  422 
Thorough  wort  (Eupatorium  leucolepis).     Page  130. 
Bog  Golden-rod  (Solidago  idiginosa).     Page  220. 
(S.  patula).     Page  220. 
(S.  neglecta).     Page  222. 
{S.  Elliottii).      Page    220.      Near   the   coast   in   fresh    or   brackish 

swamps. 
(S.  graminifolia) .     Page  222. 
Low,  Rough  Aster  (Aster  radula).     Page  357. 
Purple-stem  Aster  (A.  puniceus).     Page  364. 
Bog  Aster  (4.  nemoralis).     Page  362. 
Marsh  Elder.     Highwater-shrub  (Iva  oraria).     Page  424.     Salt 

marshes. 
Wild  Sunflower  (Helianthus  giganteus).     Page  228.     AJso  in  low- 
thickets. 
Narrow-leaved    Sunflower    (H.    angustifolius) .     Page    228.     In 

sandy  wet  places,  near  the  coast. 
Tickseed  (Coreopsis  rosea).     Page  296. 
Swamp  Beggar-ticks  (Bidens  connata).     Page  232. 
Larger  Bur  Marigold  (B.  laevis).     Page  232.     Near  the  coast. 
Tall  Tickseed  Sunflower  (B.  trichosperma).     Page  234. 
Swamp  Thistle  (Cirsium  muticum).    Page  367. 

465 


CHAPTER  XII 

AT  THE   SEASIDE.     NEAR  THE  COAST 

Salt  air  and  sandy  soil  attract  their  own  flowers.  Among  them 
are  plants  with  stiff,  unyielding  foliage,  of  a  stern  and  defying 
sort,  which  venture  so  close  to  the  ocean  that  they  are  watered 
with  its  salt  spray.  Others,  of  a  tenderer  character,  creep  behind 
the  protecting  dunes,  nestling  in  hollows,  craving  shelter  from  the 
fierce  gales.  Actual  coast  vegetation  is  sparse.  There  are  no 
trees,  and  only  a  few  hardy  shrubs.  The  shore  is  joined  to  the 
country  by  a  skirting  fringe  of  pines,  oaks,  cedars,  and  locusts, 
beneath  whose  shade  still  other  species  are  content  to  dwell. 

The  flowers  grouped  in  this  chapter  may,  some  of  them,  like  the 
Canadian  burnet,  have  crept  inland;  but  most  are  recognized  as 
belonging  to  the  seashore. 

Some  flowers  that  grow  in  salt  marshes  and  pine  barrens  near 
the  coast  are  here  included. 

Red-root  (Lacnanthes  tinctoria).     Page  157.     In  sandy  swamps 

near  the  coast. 
Ladies'  Tresses  (Spiranthes  praecox).     Page  54.     Southern. 
Bayberry    (Myrica   carolinensis) .     Page   379.     Sterile   soil,    not* 

far  from  the  coast.     Pine  woods. 
Smooth  Alder  (Alnus  rugosa).     Page  381. 
Golden  Dock  (Rumex  persicarioides) .     Page  27. 
White  Dock  (R.  pallidas).      Page  26.      On  rocks,  sea-beaches, 

and  marshes. 
Seaside  Knotweed  (Polygonum  mar itimum).     Page  58. 
(P.  prolificum).     Page  251. 

Coast  Blite  (C heno podium  rubrum).     Page  253.     Salt  marshes. 
Orach   (Atriplex  patula).     Page  28. 
Sea  Beach  Atriplex  (A.  arenaria).     Page  28. 
Glasswort.     Samphire  (Salicornia  mucronata) .     Page  28. 
(5.  europaea).     Page  29. 
(S.  ambigua).     Page  29. 
Sea  Blite  (Sueda  linearis).     Page  29. 
Saltwort  (Salsola  Kali).     Page  253. 
Sea  Purslane  (Sesuvium  maritimum).     Page  307. 
Sand  Spurrey  (Spergularia  marina).     Page  253, 

466 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

Pearlwort  (Sagina  procumbens).     Page  62. 

Broad-leaved  Sandwort  (Arenaria  lateriflora).     Page  64. 

Sea-beach  Sandwort  (.4.  peploidcs).     Page  64. 

Pine-barren    Sandwort    (A.  caroliniana) .     Page  62.     In  sand. 

Seaside  Crowfoot  (Ranunculus  Cymbalaria) .     Page  163. 

Sea  Rocket  (Cakile  cdentula).     Page  310.     Also  on  the  shores  of 

the  Great  Lakes. 
Beach  Plum  (Primus  maritima).     Page  400. 
Dwarf  or  Sand  Cherry  {P.  pumila).     Page  401. 
Kidney    Bean    (Phaseolus    polystachyus) .     Page   453.     Thickets 

near  the  coast. 
Beach  Pea  (Lathyrus  maritimus).     Page  317. 
Milk  Pea  (Galactia  regular  is).     Page  317.     Sandy  woods  along 

the  coast. 
Seaside    Spurge    (Euphorbia  polygonifolia) .      Page  34.      Sandy 

soil. 
(E.  I  pecacuanhae) .     Page  ^3- 

Broom  Crowberry  (Corema  Conradii).     Page  455. 
Marsh  Mallow  (Althaea  officinalis).     Page  265.     Salt  marshes. 
(Kosteletzkya  virginica).     Page  267.      In  coast  marshes. 
Hudsonia   (Hudsonia  ericoides).     Page  430. 
Poverty  Grass  (H.  tomentosa).     Page  430. 
Pinweed  (Lechea  maritima).     Page  267.     Sandy  soil. 
Primrose-leaved  Violet  (Viola  primulifolia) .     Page  96. 
Scotch  Lovage  (Ligusticum  scothicum).     Page  106. 
Fetter    Bush   (Leucothoe  racemosa).     Page   410.     Wet   thickets 

near  the  coast. 
Sea   Lavendar.     Marsh   Rosemary    (Limonium  carolinianum) . 

Page  324.     Stilt  marshes. 
Sea  Milkwort   (Glaux  maritima).     Page  278.     North  of  Cape 

Cod,  along  seashores. 
Sea  Pink  (Sabatia  stellaris).     Page  280. 
(S.  gracilis).     Page  280. 

Large  Marsh  Pink  (5.  dodecandra).     Page  2S0. 
Spiked  Centaury  (Ccntauriiim  spicatum).     Page  282.     Local. 
Few- flowered  Milkweed  (Asclepias  lanccolata).     Page  284. 
Red  Milkweed  (A.  rubra).     Page  284. 
Hyssop  Skullcap  (Scutellaria  integrifolia).     Page  335. 
Purple  Gerardia  (Gerardia  purpurea).     Page  289.     In  sand. 
Seaside  Gerardia  (G.  maritima).     Page  289. 
Chaff-seed  (Schwalbea  americana).     Page  350.     Moist  sand. 
Yellow  Rattle  (Rhinanthus  Crista- galli).     Page  208. 
Cleavers.     Goose  Grass  (Galium  Aparine).     Page  128. 
Clustered  Bluets  (Oldenlandia  uniflora).     Page  130.     Wet  soil. 
Beach  Golden-rod  (Solidago  sempcrvirens).     Page  222. 
Slender-leaved  Golden-rod  (S.  tenuifolia).     Page  222. 

467 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

New  York  Aster  (Aster  novi-belgii).  Page  362.  One  variety 
(litoreus)  is  found  in  salt  marshes. 

Salt  Marsh  Aster  (A.  tenutfolius).     Page  362. 

{A.  subulatus).      Page  362. 

Salt  Marsh  Fleabane  (Pluchea  camphor  ata) .  Page  296.  Salt 
marshes. 

Groundsel  Tree  (Baccharis  halimifolia).  Page  425.  Along  marshes 
and  sea-beaches. 

Purple  Cudweed  (Gnaphalium  purpureum).     Page  143. 

Hedgehog  Burweed  (Xanthium  echinatum).  Page  226.  Lake- 
shores  as  well  as  seashores. 

Yellow  Thistle  (Cirsium  spinosissimum).  Page  236.  Poor  soil, 
near  the  coast. 


CHAPTER    XITT 

AQUATICS 

There  is  something  especially  fascinating  about  plants  that 
grow  in  the  water.  They  are  generally  odd  and  striking.  They 
are  perhaps  just  out  of  reach,  and  if  you  cannot  hire  a  barefooted 
boy,  you  must  get  a  row-boat  in  order  to  secure  the  treasures. 
They  look  so  cool  and  clean,  and  rest  so  quietly  upon  the  lake's 
placid  surface!  The  bright  colors  of  the  flowers  mingle  har- 
moniously with  their  large,  undivided,  or  else  finely  cut,  seaweed- 
like leaves — for  our  aquatic  foliage  is  apt  to  run  to  one  of  these 
extremes. 

We  have  not  many  aquatics.  Sometimes  swamp  plants  be- 
come aquatic,  and  those  which  generally  live  in  water  may  be- 
come stranded  and  rooted  on  muddy  banks. 

Bur-reed   (Sparganium  simplex).     Page  38. 

(5.  eurycarpum).     Page  40. 

(5.  minimum).     Page  40. 

Tape  Grass.  Eel  Grass  (Valisneria  spiralis).  Family,  Frog' 's- 
bit.  The  ribbon-like  leaves  grow  6  feet  long,  wholly  sub- 
merged or  floating  at  the  ends.  Staminate  flowers  break  off 
and  float  on  surface.  Pistillate  flowers  grow  on  long  stems, 
until  they  reach  the  surface.  After  pollination  they  coil 
spirally,  contracting,  and  ripen  their  fruit  under  water.  Com- 
mon and  well  known  along  our  shores. 

Golden  Club  (Orontium  aquaticum) .     Page  147. 

Duckweed  (Spirodela  polyrhiza).     Page  22. 

Ivy-leaved  Duckweed  (Lemna  Irisulca).     Page.  22. 

Pipewort  (Eriocaulon  articulatum) .     Page  42. 

Green  Arrow  Arum   {Peltandra  virginicd).     Page  21. 

Pickerel-weed  (Pondeteria  cordata).     Page  299. 

Mud   Plantain  {Hiicranthcra  reniformis).     Page  44. 

Water  Star-grass  {H.  dubia).     Page  149. 

Yellow  Pond  Lily  (Nymphaea  advena).     Page  162. 

(A/,  microphylhi).     Page  163. 

Water  Nymph.     Water  Lily  (Castalia  odorata).     Pago  68. 

Sacred  Bean  {Nelumbo  lutea).     Page  163. 

469 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Water  Shield  (Brasenia  Schreberi).     Page  307. 

Common   White  Water  Crowfoot   {Ranunculus   aquatilis,  var. 

capillaceous) .     Page  68. 
Stiff  Water  Crowfoot  (R.  circinatus).     Page  69. 
Yellow  Water  Crowfoot  {R.  delphinifolius) .     Page  163. 
Water  Milfoil  (Myriophyllum  verticillatum) .     Page  35. 
(M.  scabratutn).     Page  323. 
Low  Water  Milfoil  (M.  humile).     Page  324. 
Mermaid   Weed    (Proserpinaca  palustris).     Page  35.     Listed  in 

Chapter  X,  but  sometimes  this  is  an  aquatic. 
Water  Pennywort    (Hydrocotyle  americana).     Page  100.    Often 

in  mud  beside  streams. 
(H.  umbellata).     Page  100. 
(H.  verticillata) .     Page   100. 
(Bcrula  erectd).     Page    104. 

Featherfoil.     Water  Violet  {Hottonia  inflata).     Page  116. 
Floating  Heart  (Nymphoides  lacunosum).     Page  118. 
Bladderwort  (Utricular ia  inflata).     Page  209. 
Common  Bladderwort  (17.  vulgaris).     Page  209. 
Purple  Bladderwort  (U.  purpurea).     Page  350. 
(U.  resupinata) .     Page  351. 
(U.  subulata).     Page  209. 

Horned  Bladderwort   (U.  cornuta).     Page  210. 
Water  Marigold  (Bidens  Beckii).     Page  234. 


CHAPTER    XIV 

WET    MEADOWS,   AND   THICKETS.     LOW,    RICH   GROUNDS 

Bordering  the  marshes  and  streams  are  the  wet  meadows,  which 
glow  with  rich  and  varied  plant  life.  Tall  grasses  and  rushes 
wave  among  the  yellow  lilies,  grass  of  Parnassus,  and  meadow- 
rue.  Nestling  deep  down,  half  hidden  in  moss  and  cress,  are  the 
dainty  marsh  harebell  and  sweet  white  violet.  Here  we  shall  cull 
a  choice  bouquet.  We  still  need  our  rubbers  over  tall  shoes. 
The  latter  I  always  wear  in  walking,  as  a  protection  from  possible 
snake  bites.  The  former  I  suspend  in  a  bag  from  my  belt,  in 
order  to  have  them  "  handy."  The  wet  meadow  and  swamp  over- 
lap each  other,  and  some  flowers  may  be  grouped  in  this  chapter 
which  also  grow  in  the  marshes. 

Blazing  Star.     Devil's   Bit  (Chamaelirium  luteum).     Page  44. 
Bunch-flower  (Melanthhim  virginicum) .     Page   22. 
Crisped  Bunch-flower  (M.  latifolium).     Page  46. 
Wild  Garlic  (Allium  canadense).     Page  46. 
Field  Garlic  (.4.  vineale).     Page  23. 
Turk's-cap  Lily  (Lilium  superbum).     Page  152. 
Wild  Yellow  Lily  (L.  canadense).     Page  154. 
Yellow  Adder's-tongue  (Erythronium  americanum).     Page  154. 
White  Dog's-tooth  Violet  (E.  albidum).     Page  46. 
False  Spikenard  (Smilacina  racemosa).     Page  47. 
False  Solomon's  Seal  (5.  stellata).     Page  47. 
Green  Brier.     Horse  Brier  (Smilax  rotundifolia) .     Page  376. 
Bristly  Green  Brier  (5.  bona-nox).     Page  377. 
(S.  hispida) .     Page  376. 

Wild  Yam-root  {Dioscorea  villosa).     Page  425. 
Star  Grass  (Hypoxis  hirsuta).     Page  157. 
Blue-eyed  Grass  (Sisyrinchium  angusti folium).     Page  302. 
(S.  gramineum).     Page  302. 

Ragged  Fringed  Orchis    (Habenaria  lacera).     Page  24. 
Large  Purple-fringed  Orchis  (H.  fimbriata).     Page  303. 
Tear-thumb  (Polygonum  uirginianum).     Page  27. 
Halberd-leaved  Tear-thumb  (P.  arifolhim).     Page  58. 
Arrow-leaved  Tear-thumb  (P.  sagittatum) .     Page  58. 

47i 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Common  Poke  or  Score.     Garget.    Pigeon  Berry.    Pokeweed 

(Phytolacca  decandra).     Page  (>o. 
Northern  Stitchwort  (Stellaria  borealis).     Page  65. 
Mouse-ear  Chicrweed  (Cer  ostium  nutans).     Page  66. 
Ragged  Robin   (Lychnis  Flos-cuculi).     Page  253. 
Swamp  Buttercup  (Ranunculus  septentrionalis).     Page  165. 
Creeping  Buttercup  (R.  re  pens).     Page  165. 
Bristly  Crowfoot   (R.  pennsylvanicus) .     Page   165. 
Purplish  Meadow  Rue  (Thalictrum  dasycarpum).     Page  307. 
Tall  Meadow  Rue  (T.  polygamum).     Page  69. 
Leather  Flower  (Clematis  Viorna).     Page  450. 
Fever  Bush.     Wild  Allspice  (Benzoin  aestivale).     Page  427. 
Common   Winter  Cress.     Yellow  Roc  ret  (Barbarea  vulgaris). 

Page    171. 
Spring  Cress  (Cardaminc  bidbosa).     Page  80. 
(C.  hirsuta).      Page  80. 

Swamp  Saxifrage  (Saxifraga  pennsylvanica) .     Page  31. 
Meadow-sweet  (Spiraea  salicifolia) .     Page  395. 
Hardhacr.     Steeple  Bush  (S.  tomentosa) .     Page  437. 
Wild  Strawberry   (Fragaria  virginiana).     Page  86.     The  wild 

strawberry  is  found  also  in  uplands,  but  is  larger  and  sweeter 

in  wet  meadows. 
Avens  (Geum  virginianum).     Page  87. 
Yellow  Avens  (G.  strictum).     Page  174. 
Water  or  Purple  Avens  (G.  rivale).     Page  312. 
Running  Swamp  Blacrberry  (Rubus  hispidus).     Page  400. 
Wild  Senna  (Cassia  marilandica) .     Page  177. 
Water  Starwort  (Callitriche  deflexa).     Page  34. 
Blacr  Alder.  Winterberry  (Ilex  verticillata) .     Page  401. 
Smooth  Winterberry  (/.  laevigata).     Page  402. 
Inrberry  (7.  glabra).     Page  402. 

St.  John's- wort  (Hypericum  punctatum).     Page  188. 
(H.  adpressum).     Page  186. 

Pale  St.  Joiin's-wort  (H.  ellipticum).     Page  186. 
Dwarf  St.  John's-wort  (H.  mutilum).     Page  188. 
Common  Blue  Violet  (Viola  cucullata).     Page  322. 
Arrow-leaved  Violet  (V.  sagittata).     Page  321.     Especially  near 

the  coast. 
Pale  Violet  (V.  striata).     Page  96. 
Dog  Violet  (V.  conspersa) .     Page  323. 
Spired  Loosestrife  (Lythrum  Salicaria).     Page  269. 
Long-leaved  Willow  Herb  (Epilobium  densum).     Page  273. 
Purple-leaved  Willow  Herb  (E.  coloratum) .     Page  273. 
Sweet  Pepperbush.     Clethra   (Clethra  alnifolia).     Page  408. 
Fetter  Bush  (Leucothoe  axillaris).     Page  410. 
Stagger-bush  (Lyonia  mariana).     Page  412. 

472 


HABITATS   OF   PLANTS 

Male  Berry  (L.  ligustrina).      Page  413. 

Loosestrife   (Lysimackia  terristris).     Page  198. 

Fringed  Loosestrife  (Steironema  ciliatum).     Page  200. 

Yellow  Jessamine  (Gelseminum  sempervirens) .     Page  432. 

Centaury  (Centaurium  pulchellum).     Page  280. 

Fringed  Gentian  {Gentiana  crinita).  Page  324.  Often  along 
roadsides. 

Closed  Gentian  (G.  Andrewsii).     Page  326. 

Common  Milkweed  or  Silkweed  (Asclepias  syriaca).     Page  284. 

Blue  Vervain  (Verbena  hastata).     Page  331. 

American  Germander.  Wood  Sage  {Teucrium  canadense). 
Page  287. 

Bugle  Weed    (Lycopus  virginicus).     Page  121. 

Water  Horeiiound   (L.  sessilifolius) .     Page   123. 

(L.  americanus).      Page  123. 

Field  Mint  (Mentha  arvensis).     Page  123. 

Bittersweet  (Solanum  Dulcamara).     Page  456. 

Turtlehead.     Snakehead  (Cltelone  glabra).     Page  125. 

Monkey  Flower  (Mimulus  ringens).     Page  347. 

Winged  Monkey  Flower  (M.  alatus).     Page  348. 

Trumpet-flower  (Tecoma  radicans).     Page  433. 

Marsh  Bedstraw  (Galium  palustre).     Page  128. 

Bluets.  Innocence  (Houstonia  coerulea).  Page  129.  In  grassy- 
places,  moist  or  dry.     In  damp  pastures. 

Common  Elder  (Sambucus  canadensis) .     Page  423. 

Marsh  Bellflower  (Campanula  aparinoides) .     Page  353. 

Great  Lobelia  (Lobelia  siphilitica) .  Page  353.  Listed  also  in 
Chapter  X. 

I ron weed  (Vernonia  noveboracensis) .    Page  355.    Near  the  coast. 

Joe  Pye  Weed.  Trumpet  Weed  (Eupatorium  purpurcum).  Page 
294. 

(E.  verbenaefolium) .     Page  132. 

Thoroughwort.      Boneset  (E.  pcrjoliatum).     Page  132. 

Blazing  Star.     Button  Snake  root  (Liatris  sp  icata).     Page  357. 

Golden- rod  (Solidago  serotina,  var.  gigantea).      Page  220. 

New  England  Aster  (Aster  novae-angliae) .     Page  359. 

Michaelmas  Daisy  (,4.  Tradescanti).     Page  136. 

Panicled  Aster  (A.  paniculatus) .     Page  136. 

Rush  Aster  (.4.  junceus).     Page  360. 

Fleabane  (Erigcron  philadelphicus) .      Page  2Q4. 

Cone-flower   (Rudbeckia  laciniata).     Page  226. 

(Actinomeris  alter yiif olio).      Page  230. 

Beggar-ticks   (Bidens  frondosa).     Page  230. 

Spanish  Needles  (B.  bipinnata).     Page  2^^. 

Golden  Ragwort  (Senecio  aureus).     Page  230. 

473 


CHAPTER    XV 

DRY   FIELDS    AND    PASTURES.     WASTE   PLACES.     ROADSIDES 

From  the  dry  fields  and  pastures  to  the  roadsides  is  an  easy- 
journey  for  the  seeds  of  dry  soil  plants.  Wherever  man  makes  a 
highway  for  himself,  there  his  humble  followers  of  the  vegetable 
kingdom  come.  They  give  color  and  beauty  to  what  would 
otherwise  be  a  sandy  path.  Those  who  have  driven  along  roads 
in  the  Old  World,  as  in  some  parts  of  Sicily,  in  which  high  walls 
on  either  side  bound  strips  of  white  dust,  will  remember  with 
gratitude  the  roads  of  New  England,  gorgeous  with  asters  and 
golden-rod  in  September.  These  friends  of  ours  flourish  alike  in 
drought,  dust,  and  summer  tempest.  Alas!  they  are  seldom 
seen  by  the  tourists  who  rush  by  in  a  big  car.  For  real  pleasure, 
give  us  a  comfortable  buggy  drawn  by  a  friendly  horse  on  whose 
back  the  reins  idly  lie,  leisure,  a  friend,  and  a  country  road. 

Blackberry  Lily  (Belamcanda  chinensis).     Page  159. 
Ladies'  Tresses    {Spiranthes  Beckii).     Page  52. 
(5.  gracilis).     Page  52. 

Prairie  Willow  {Salix  humilis).     Page  377. 
Dwarf  Gray  Willow  (5.  tristis).     Page  378. 
Sweet  Fern   (Myrica  as plenifolia) .     Page  380. 
Hazelnut.     Filbert  (Corylus  amcricana).     Page  380. 
Beaked  Hazelnut  (C.  rostrata).     Page  380. 
Dwarf  Birch  (Betula  glandulosa) .     Page  381. 
Slender  Nettle  (Urtica  gracilis).     Page  25. 
Stinging  Nettle   (U.  dioica).     Page  25. 

Small  Nettle  (U.  urens).     Page  25.     The  nettles  sometimes  be- 
come disagreeable  weeds. 
Bastard  Toad-flax  (Comandra  umbellata).     Page  56. 
Field  Mouse-ear  Chickweed  (Cerastium  arvense).     Page  65. 
Common  Mouse-ear  Chickweed  (C.  vulgatum).     Page  65. 
Mouse-ear  Chickweed  (C.  viscosum).     Page  65. 
Red  Campion  (Lychnis  dioica).     Page  254. 
White  Campion  (L.  alba).     Page  66. 

Campion.     Sleepy  Catchfly  (Silene  antirrhina).     Page  254. 
Night-flowering  Catchfly  (S.  noctiflora).     Page  68. 
Bladdf.r  Campion  (5.  latifolia).     Page  66. 

474 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

wSoapwort.     Bouncing  Bet  (Saponaria  officinalis).     Page  256. 
Deptford  Pink  (Dianthus  Armeria).     Page  250. 
Common  Barberry  (Berberis  vulgaris).     Page  426. 
Horn  Poppy.     Sea  Poppy  (Glaucium  flavum) .     Page  169. 
Common  Fumitory  (Fumaria  officinalis).     Page  260. 
Whitlow  Grass  (Draba  verna).     Page  77. 
(D.  caroliniana) .     Page  79. 

Wild  Peppergrass  (Lepidium  virginicitm) .     Page  79. 
Black  Mustard  (Brassica  nigra).     Page  169. 
Mouse-ear  Cress  (Sisymbrium  Thalianum) .     Page  79. 
Rock  Cress    (Arabis  lyrata).     Page  81. 
Tower  Mustard  (A.  glabra).     Page  81. 
Dyer's  Weed  or  Weld  (Reseda  Luteola).     Page  31. 
Meadow  -  sweet      (Spiraea    latifolia).      This      is      the      common 
meadow  -  sweet,    with    pink    or    white    blossoms,    found    in    dry, 
rocky  fields  and  pastures  in  New  England.     It  may  be  known 
by  its  dark-red  stems,  thin,  coarsely  serrate  leaves  and  panicled 
flowers. 
Hardhack.     Steeple  Bush  (S.  tomentosa).     Page  437.     The  hard- 
hack  is  often  found  along  roadsides  with  the  white  species.     It 
is  listed  in  Chapter  XIV. 
Wild    Strawberry    (Fragaria   virginiana).     Page    86.     Often    this 
plant  is  found  in  dry  as  well  as  moist  fields.     Listed  in  Chap- 
ter XIV. 
(Duchesnea  indica).     Page  86. 
Tall  Cinquefoil  (Potentilla  arguta).     Page  172. 
Five-finger  (P.  monspeliensis).     Page  172. 
Silvery  Cinquefoil  (P.  argentea).     Page  172. 
Shrubby  Cinquefoil  (P.  fruticosa).     Page  174. 
Common  Cinquefoil  (P.  canadensis).     Page  174. 
Queen  of  the  Prairie  (Filipendula  rubra).     Page  260. 
Black  Raspberry   (Rubus  occidentalis).     Page  398. 
Purple  Flowering  Raspberry  (R.  odoratus).    Page  437.    Doubt- 
less this  grows  also  in  woods.     I  have  found  it  several  times 
bordering  roads. 
Dewberry  (R.  villosus).     Page  399. 

Sweetbrier.     Eglantine  (Rosa  rubiginosa) .     Page  439. 
Sloe.     Blackthorn  (Prunus  instititia).     Page  400. 
Chickasaw  Plum  (P.  angustifolia) .     Page  400. 
Partridge  Pea  (Cassia  Chamaecrista) .     Page  177. 
Wild  Sensitive  Plant  (C.  nictitans).     Page  177. 
Dyer's  Greenweed  (Genista  tinctoria).     Page  428. 
White  Clover  (Trifolium  re  pens).     Page  89. 
Yellow  or  Hop  Clover  (T.  agrarium).     Page  179. 
Low  Hop  Clover  (T.  procumbcns).     Page  180. 
Rabbit-foot  or  Stone  Clover  (T.  arvense).     Page  313, 

475 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Sweet  Clover.     Yellow  Melilot  (Melilotus  officinalis).     Page 

180. 
White  Melilot   (.1/.  alba).     Page  89. 

Black  Medick.     Nonesuch  (Medicago  lupulina).     Page  180. 
Coronilla  {Coronilla  varia).     Page  261. 
Hairy  Vetch  (Vicia  hirsuta).     Page  317. 
(V.   tetrasperma) .     Page  317. 
Butterfly  Pea  {Clitoria  mariana).     Page  454. 
Long-stalked  Cranesbill  {Geranium  columbianum) .     Page  319. 
Whorled  Milkwort  {Poly gala  verticillata).     Page  90. 
Three -seeded  Mercury  {Acalypha  virginica).     Page  33. 
Milk  Purslane  {Euphorbia  maculata).     Page  265. 
Stag-horn  Sumach  {Rhus  typhina).     Page  387. 
Smooth  Sumach  {R.  glabra).     Page  389. 

Burning  Bush.    W aahoo  {Evonymus  atropurpureus).     Page455. 
Mallow    {Malva   verticillata).     A    species    similar   to    M.    crispa 
(described   on   page   92).     It   differs   in  its  leaves,   which   are 
roundish,  5  to  7  crenately  lobed,  and  not  crisped  or  crinkled. 
High  Mallow  (M.  sylvestris).     Page  265. 
Musk   Mallow    (M.  moschata).     Page  92.     These  mallows  may 

be  also  reckoned  as  weeds. 
Bird-foot  Violet  {Viola  pedata).     Page  321. 
Clammy  Cuphea  {Cuphea  petiolata).     Page  323. 
Common  Evening  Primrose  {Oenothera  biennis).     Page  195. 
Sundrops  (O.  fruticosa).     Page  195. 
{O.  pumila).     Page  197. 
Gaura   {Gaura  biennis).     Page  274. 
Poison  Hemlock  {Conium  maculatum).     Page  102. 
Fool's  Parsley  {Aethusa  Cynapium).     Page  106. 
Wild  Parsnip  {Pastinaca  sativa).     Page  198. 
Sheep  Laurel.    Lambkill.    W icky  {Kalmia  angustifolia) .    Page 
442.     This  pink  laurel  may  be  found  in  moist  or  dry  soil,  in 
pastures  and  borders  of  swamps. 
Common  Pimpernel  {Anagallis  arvensis).     Page  278. 
Bitter   Herb.     Earth   Gall    {Centaurium  umbellatum).      Page 

282. 
Butterfly-weed.       Pleurisy-root    {Asclepias  tuberosa).     Page 

200. 
Purple  Milkweed   {A.  purpurascens) .     Page  328. 
(.4.   amplexicaulis) .     Page  328. 

Field  Bindweed  {Convolvulus  arvensis).     Page  419. 
Stickseed  {Lappula  virginiana).     Page  330. 
Corn  Gromwell  {Lithospermum  arvense).     Page  119. 
Common  Gromwell  (L.  officinale).     Page  119. 
Viper's  Bugloss.     Blue-weed.     Blue  Devil  {Echium  vulgare). 
Page  331. 

476 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

White  Vervain  (Verbena  urticae folia).     Page  120. 

Bastard  Pennyroyal   {Trichostcma  dichotomum) .     Page  333. 

(T.  lineare).     Page  333. 

Horehound  (Marrubium  vulgarc).     Page  120. 

Self-heal.      Heal-all.     Carpenter-weed   {Prunella    vulgaris). 

Page  337. 
Common  Hemp  Nettle  {Galeopsis  Tetrahit).      Page  337. 
Red  Hemp  Nettle  (G.  Ladanum).     Page  287. 
Wild  Marjoram  {Origanum  vulgar e).     Page  341. 
Black  Henbane  {Hyoscyamus  nigcr).     Page  203. 
Common  Mullein  (Verbaseum  Thapsus).     Page  204. 
Moth  Mullein  (V.  Blattaria).     Page  124. 
White  Mullein  (V .  Lyclinitis).     Page  124. 
Butter  and  Eggs.      Ramstead  (Linaria  vulgaris).     Page  204. 
Snapdragon  (Antirrhinum  Orontium).     Page  125. 
Beard-tongue   (Pensiemon  hirsutus).     Page  347. 
Slender  Gerardia  (Gerardia  tenuifolia).     Page  289. 
Indian  Tobacco   {Lobelia  inflate).     Page  353. 
Spiked  Lobelia  (L.  spicata).     Page  355. 
Large  Button  Snakeroot  {Liatris  scariosa).     Page  357. 
Golden  Aster  {Chrysopsis  falcata).     Page  210. 
Maryland  Golden  Aster  {C.  mariana).     Page  210. 
Silver- rod  {Solidago  bicolor).     Page  134. 

Golden-rod  (S.  puberula).     Page  216.     Not  far  from  the  coast. 
(5.  hispida).     Page  214. 
Sweet  Golden-rod  (S.  odora).     Page  216. 
Field  Golden-rod  (S.  nemoralis).     Page  218. 
Showy  Aster  (Aster  spectabilis).     Page  357. 
(.4.  concolor).     Page  359.     Near  the  coast. 
Late  Purple  Aster  (A.  patens).     Page  359. 
Smooth  Aster  (.4.  laevis).     Page  360. 
White  Heath  Aster  (A.  ericoides).     Page  134. 
Dense-flowered  Aster  (A.  muUiflorus).     Page  136. 
Bushy  Aster  (.4.  dumosus).     Page  360. 
Calico  Aster  (.4.  later  iflorus).     Page  136. 
New  York  Aster   (.4.  novi-belgii) .     Page  362. 
Daisy  Fleabane  (Erigeron  ramosus).     Page  138. 
Plantain-leaved     Everlasting     (Antennaria     plantaginifolia) 

Page  140. 
Common   Everlasting    (Gnaphalium   polycepkalum) .     Page    142 
Clammy  Everlasting  (G.  decurrens).     Page   142. 
Low  Cudweed  (G.  uliginosum).     Page  142. 
Elecampane  {Inula  Helenium).     Page  224. 
Great   Ragweed  (Ambrosia  trifida).      Page  37. 
(Tetragonotheca  helianthoides) .     Page  226. 
Gray-headed  Cone-flower  (Lepachys  pinnata).     Page  228. 

-17  7 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Yarrow.     Milfoil  (Achillea  Milk  folium).     Page  143. 

May-weed.     Dog  Fennel  (Anthemis  Cotula).     Page  143. 

Ox-eye  Daisy.  White-weed.  Marguerite  (Chrysanthemum 
Leitcanthemum) .  Page  144.  This  must  also  be  reckoned  a 
persistent  and  unwelcome  weed. 

Wormwood   (Artemsia-  Absinthium).     Page  235. 

Common  Groundsel  (Senecio  vulgaris).     Page  235. 

Burdock   (Arctium  Lappa).     Page  366. 

Musk  Thistle  (Cardials  nutans).     Page  366. 

Common  or  Bull  Thistle  (Cirsium  lanceolatum) .     Page  366. 

Tall  or  Roadside  Thistle  (C.  altissimum).     Page  367. 

Pasture  Thistle  (C.  pumilum).     Page  367. 

Cotton  or  Scotch  Thistle  (Onopordum  Acanthium) .     Page  368. 

Brown  Knapweed  (Centaurca  Jacea).     Page  368. 

Knapweed.     Spanish  Buttons  (C.  nigra).     Page  368. 

Nipple-wort  (La psana  communis) .     Page  236. 

Succory  or  Chicory  (Cichorium  Intybus).     Page  369. 

Dwarf  Dandelion  (Krigia  virginica).     Page  236. 

Fall  Dandelion   (Leontodon  aulumnalis).     Page  237. 

Goat's  Beard  (Tragopogon  pratensis).     Page  237. 

Field  Sow  Thistle  (Sonchus  arvensis).     Page  23c;. 

Wild  Lettuce.     Horse-weed  (Lactuca  canadensis).     Page  239. 

Lion's-foot.  Gall-of-the-earth  (Prenanthes  serpentaria).  Page 
146. 

Orange  Hawkweed.  Devil's  Paint-brush.  Grim  the  Col- 
lier (Hieraciiun  aurantiacum).      Page  239. 


CHAPTER    XVI 

SANDY,  STERILE   SOIL 

This  chapter  is  supplementary  to  the  last.  A  few  plants,  not 
strictly  roadside  or  field  plants,  those  found,  perhaps,  on  hill- 
sides whose  good  soil  has  been  washed  away,  along  the  edges  of 
open  woods  or  upon  dry  banks,  are  grouped  here.  No  soil  is 
too  poor  to  support  vegetable  life.  Mosses  and  lichens  cover  even 
rocks.  The  frostweed  and  orange  grass  seem  to  require  little 
or  no  nitrogenous  substance  such  as  helps  to  make  fertile  soil. 

Bear  or  Black  Scrub  Oak  (Qiicrcus  ilicifolia).     Page  382. 
Coast  Jointweed  (Poly gonclla  art iculala).     Page  58.     This  often 

borders  roadsides  running  through  pine  forests. 
Indian    Chickweed    (Mollugo  vcrlicillata).     Page  62.     In  garden 

paths  or  along  sandy  banks  of  streams. 
Sand  Spurrey  (Spergularia  rubra).     Page  253. 
Pearlwort  (Sagina  decumbens).     Page  62. 
Thyme-leaved  Sandwort  (Arenaria  scrpyllifolia).     Page  64. 
Hedge  Mustard  (Sisymbrium  officinale) .     Page  170. 
Dwarf  Thorn    (Crataegus  tomentosa).     Page   398. 
Low  or  Running  Blackberry  (Rubus  canadensis).     Page  399. 
Sand  Blackberry  (R.  cuneifolius) .     Page  399. 
Low  Bush  Blackberry  (R.  trivialis).     Page  399.     Near  the  coast. 
Pasture  Rose  (Rosa  humilis).     Page  439. 

Sand  Cherry  (Prunus  pumila).     Page  401.    Also  in  Chapter  XII. 
Wild  Sensitive  Plant  (Cassia  nictitans).     Page  177. 
Rattle-box  (Crotalaria  sagittalis).     Page  179. 
Scotch  Broom  (Cytisus  scoparius).     Page  430. 
Wild  Lupine  (Lupinus  perennis).     Page  313.     Found  often  on 

the  edges  of  dry,  especially  pine,  woods. 
Hoary  Pea.     Goat's  Rue.    Catgut  (Tephrosiavirginiana).    Page 

260. 
(T.  spicata).     Page  261. 
(T.  hispidula).     Page  261. 
Bush  Clover  (Lespedeza    procumbens).     Page    315.     Near    the 

coast. 
(L.  violacea).     Page  316. 
(L.  Stuvci).     Page  316. 

31  479 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

(L.  virginica).     Page  316. 

(L.  capitata).     Page  316. 

(L.  angustifolia).     Page  316. 

Pencil  Flower  (Stylosanlhes  biflora).     Page  180. 

Blue  Vetch   {Vicia  Cracca).     Page  452. 

Cranesbill  {Geranium  carolinianum) .     Page  262. 

Seneca  Snakeroot  (Polygala  Senega).     Page  90. 

Field  Milkwort  (P.  sanguinea).     Page  264. 

(P.  Nuttallii).     Page  319. 

Flowering  Spurge  {Euphorbia  corollata).     Page  92. 

Indian  Mallow.     Velvet  Leaf  {Abutilon  Theophrasti).      Page 

185. 
{Sida  spinosa).     Page  185. 

Shrubby  St.  John's-wort  {Hypericum  proliUcum) .     Page  430. 
(//.  densiflorum).    Page  430.    In  pine  barrens. 
Canada  St.  John's-wort  {H.  canadense).     Page  188. 
Orange  Grass.     Pineweed  {H.  gentianoides).     Page  190. 
Frostweed   {Helianthemum  canadense).     Page  192. 
{H.  corymbosum).     Page  193. 

Passion  Flower  {Passiflora  incarnata).     Page  405. 
Farkleberry   {Vaccinium  arboreum).     Page  415. 
Whorled  Loosestrife  {Lysimachia  quadrifolia).     Page  198. 
Wild  Morning  Glory  {Ipomoea  hederacea).     Page  448. 
Wild   Potato- vine.     Man-of-the-earth  (/.   pandurata).     Page 

419- 
Vervain  {Verbena  angustifolia).     Page  331. 
False  Pennyroyal  {Isanthus  brachiatus).     Page  ^33- 
Small  Skullcap  {Scutellaria  parvula).     Page  335. 
Wild  Bergamot  {Monarda  fistulosa).     Page  121. 
Horse  Mint  (M.  punctata).     Page  202. 

American  Pennyroyal  {Hedeoma  pulegioides).     Page  340. 
Creeping  Thyme  {Thymus  Serpyllum).     Page  342. 
Horse  Nettle  {Solanum  carolinense) .     Page  344. 
Clammy  Ground  Cherry  {Physalis  heterophylla) .     Page  203. 
Blue  Toadflax  {Linaria  canadensis).     Page  346. 
Scarlet  Painted  Cup  {Castilleja  coccinea).     Page  291. 
Yellow  Rattle    {Rhinanthus  Crista- galli) .     Page   208. 
Black  Haw  {Viburnum  prunifolium) .     Page  423. 
Venus's  Looking-glass  {Specularia  perfoliata).     Page  352. 
Bellflower  {Campanula  ranunculoides).     Page  353. 
Hyssop-leaved    Thoroughwort     {Eupatorium    hyssopifolium). 

Page  130. 
[Kuhnia  eupatorioides).     Page   132. 
Blazing  Star  {Lialris  scariosa).     Page  357. 
Golden-rod   {Solid<i£o  hispida).     Page  214. 
Slender-leaved  Golden-rod  (5.  icnuifolia).     Page  222. 

480 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

White-topped  Aster  (Seriocarpus  asteroides).     Page  140. 

(5.  linifolius).     Page  140. 

Yellow  Daisy.    Black-eyed  Susan  {Rudbeckia  hirta).    Page  226. 

Yellow  Thistle  (Cirsium  spinosissimum) .     Page  236. 

Hairy  Hawkwerd  {Hieracium  Gronovii).     Page  240. 


CHAPTER    XVII 

WEEDS.     ESCAPED   FROM   CULTIVATION 

Certain  plants  follow,  with  persistency,  the  plow  and  hoe.  They 
prefer  soft,  cultivated  ground  to  the  rocks,  woods,  and  fields. 
Much  of  the  farmer's  problem  is  how  to  keep  out  the  unprofitable 
plants.  Many  are  immigrants.  Great  steamships  and  railways 
give  them  free  passage.  They  are  "vegetable  tramps."  John 
Burroughs  says:  "They  are  going  east,  west,  north,  south.  They 
walk,  they  fly,  they  swim;  they  steal  a  ride;  they  travel  by  rail, 
by  flood,  by  wind;  they  go  under  ground  and  they  go  above, 
across  lots,  and  by  the  highway." 

Not  all  weeds  are  unsightly,  nor  have  they  all  dull  blossoms. 
Most  of  them,  even  the  pretty  ones,  make  themselves  unwelcome 
by  becoming  too  common.  Webster  says  a  weed  is  "any  plant 
growing  in  cultivated  ground  to  the  injury  of  the  crop  or  desired 
vegetation,  or  to  the  disfigurement  of  the  place;  an  unsightly, 
useless,  or  injurious  plant." 

Such  as  they  are,  we  are  bound  to  give  them  space  in  our  vege- 
table economy.  The  "wheat  and  tares,"  we  are  told,  "the  good 
and  the  bad,  will  grow  together  till  the  end  of  the  world." 

In  this  chapter  are  also  grouped  a  few  plants  which  have 
"escaped"  and,  in  certain  localities,  are  found  growing  wild. 

Day-flower  (Commelina  communis) .     Page  299.     Found  in  door- 
yards  and  gardens. 

Day  Lily  {Hemerocallis  fulva).     Page  150.     An  escape. 

Tiger  Lily  (Lilium  tigrinum).     Page  152.     An  escape. 

Star  of  Bethlehem  (Ornithogalum  umbellatum).     Page  46.     An 
escape. 

(0.  nutans).     Page  47.     Seldom  found.     An  escape  from  gardens. 

Grape  Hyacinth   (Muscari  botryoides).     Page  300.     Found  oc- 
casionally in  fence-rows  and  corners.     An  escape. 

Yellow   Dock   (Rumex  crispus).     Page  26.     A  common  weed- 

Bitter  Dock  (R.  obtusifolius) .     Page  26. 

Field  or  Sheep  Sorrel  (R.    Acetosella).     Page    251.     A    weed 
found  almost  everywhere  in  cultivated  ground  and  lawns. 

Smaller  Green  Dock  (R.  conglomerates).     Page  27. 

482 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Knotweed   (Polygonum  avicularc) .      Page  27.     A  weed  in  waste 

places  and  gardens. 
Erect  Knotweed  {P.  erectum).     Page  27. 
Common  Smartweed.      Water  Pepper  (P.  hydro  pi  per).     Page 

27. 
Persicaria   (P.  pcnnsylvanicum) .     Page  251. 
Prince's  Feather  (P.  orientate).     Page  252.     An  escape. 
Black  Bindweed  (P.  Convolvulus).     Page  28.     A  common  weed 

in  waste  and  cultivated  ground. 
Climbing  False  Buckwheat  (P.  scandens).     Page  383.     In  gar- 
dens, a  weed. 
Lady's   Thumb  (P.   Persicaria).     Page  252.     A  weed    in    rather 

damp  places. 
Pigweed.     Lamb's  Quarters  (Chenopodium  album).     Page  28. 

A  common,  well-known  weed. 
Russian    Thistle     (Salsola     Kali,    var.    tenuifolia).      Page    29. 

Recently  introduced,  but  rapidly  gaining  ground  and  difficult 

to  eradicate. 
Green    Amaranth.     Pigweed    {Amaranthus  retroflexus).     Page 

29.     Common. 
Tumbleweed  (.4.  graecizans) .     Page  30. 
Thorny  Amaranth  (A.  spinosus).     Page  29. 

Corn  Spurrey  (Spcrgula  arvensis).      Page  62.      A  weed  infest- 
ing grain  fields. 
Common  Chickweed  (Stellaria  media).      Page  64.     A  weed,  but 

not  aggressive,  and  good  for  the  chickens. 
Long-leaved  Stitchwort  (S.  longifolia).     Page  65. 
Common  Mouse-ear  Chickweed  (Cerastium  vulgatum).     Page  65. 
Corn  Cockle  (Agrostemma  Githago).     Page  254.     Found  in  fields 

of  grain.     More  troublesome  in  Europe  than  with  us. 
Bouncing    Bet  (Saponaria  officinalis).     Page  256.     Probably  an 

escape. 
Purslane  (Portnlaca  oleracea).     Page  162.     A  weed  in  cultivated 

grounds. 
Common  Buttercup  (Ranunculus  bulbosus).     Page  166. 
Tall  Buttercup  (R.  acris).     Page  166. 
Celandine     (Chelidonium     majus).     Page     168.      Imported.     A 

weed  found  near  old  garden  walls,  in  damp  soil. 
White  Poppy  (Papaver  somniferum) .     Page  75.     An  escape. 
Climbing  Fumitory  (Adlumia  fungosa).     Page  451.     Sometimes 

cultivated,  and  escaping. 
Pale  Corydalis  (Corydalis  sempervirens).     Page  258.     Springing 

up  in  recent  clearings. 
Golden  Corydalis  (C.  aurea).     Page  169.     The  members  of  this 

genus  are  pretty  vines  with  weak  stems,  found  in  recent  clearings 

or  cultivated  ground.     They  can  hardly  be  ranked  as  weeds. 

483 


HARPERS    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Shepherd's  Purse  (Capsella  Bursa- pastor  is).  Page  79.  Com- 
mon weed. 

White  Mustard  {Brassica  alba).  Page  169.  Cultivated,  but 
often  found  growing  wild. 

Hedge  Mustard  {Sisymbrium  officinale).  Page  170.  Naturalized 
from  Europe,  this  has  become  a  weed. 

Spider-flower  (Cleome  spinosa).  Page  81.  An  escape  from 
gardens  where  it  is  cultivated.  A  species,  more  often  found  in 
gardens,  has  a  most  offensive  scent  when  in  blossom.  This  is 
C.  serrulata. 

Mossy  Stonecrop  (Sedum  acre).     Page  171.     An  escape. 

Garden  Orpine.  Live-for-ever  (S.  purpureum).  Page3i2.  An 
escape,  on  rocks. 

Syringa.     Mock  Orange  (Philadelphus  inodorus).     Page  394. 

Large-flowered  Syringa  (P.  grandiflorus) .  Page  394.  This 
and  the  preceding  are  found  wild  in  mountains  and  woods  south- 
ward, but  often  are  cultivated  and  "established"  in  the  North. 

Red  Currant  (Ribes  vulgare).  Page  385.  The  currant  of  our 
gardens,  found  sometimes  as  an  escape. 

Prairie  or  Climbing  Rose  (Rosa  setigera).  Page  440.  An 
escape. 

Dyer's  Greenwood.  Whin  (Genista  tinctoria).  Page  428.  An 
escape. 

Bristly  Locust.  Rose  Acacia  (Robinia  his pida).  Page  440.  An 
escape. 

Alfalfa  (Medicago  sativa).     Page  313.     Cultivated  and  escaping. 

Spring  Vetch  (Vicia  sativa).  Page  316.  A  forage  plant,  culti- 
vated and  sometimes  spreading  to  waste  ground. 

Pea  Vine  (V.  americana).     Page  453. 

Common  Flax  (Linum  usitatissimum) .     Page  319.     An  escape. 

Lady's  Sorrel  (Oxalis  corniculata) .     Page  181.     A  weed. 

Hop  Tree.  Shrubby  Trefoil  (Ptelea  trifoliata).  Page  401.  A 
shrub  cultivated  and  often  found  established  in  light  woods. 

Snow-on-the-mountain  (Euphorbia  marginata).  Page  90.  An 
escape. 

Cypress  Spurge  (E.  Cyparissias) .     Page  34.     An  escape. 

Caper  Spurge.     Mole  Plant  (E.  Lathyrus).     Page  34. 

Poison  Oak.  Poison  Ivy  (Rhus  Toxicodendron) .  Page  385.  The 
poison  ivy,  which  is  gaining  ground  wherever  permitted,  must 
be  reckoned  among  our  most  undesirable  weeds. 

Common  Buckthorn  (Rhamnus  cathartica).  Page  390.  Often 
cultivated  as  a  hedge  plant,  and  found  in  some  places  natu- 
ralized. 

Althaea  (Hibiscus  syriacus).     Page  267.     An  escape. 

Common  Mallow.  Cheeses  (Malva  roiundifolia) .  Page  92. 
Common  in  cultivated  ground. 

484 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

Common   St.  John's-wort   {Hypericum  perforatum).     Page   186. 

Sometimes  a  troublesome  weed. 
Pansy.      Heart's-ease  {Viola  tricolor).     Page  322.     An   escape. 
Caraway  {Carum  Carvi).     Page  104.     An  escape. 
Wild    Carrot    (Daucus    Carota).     Page     108.      A    troublesome 

weed. 
Blue    Myrtle.     Periwinkle    {Vinca    minor).     Page    326.     An 

escape. 
Cypress  Vine  {Ipomoea  Quamoclit).     Page  446.     An  escape. 
Common  Morning  Glory  (/.  purpurea).     Page  446.     An  escape. 
Catnip  {Nepeta  Cataria).      Page  121.     A  common  weed. 
Ground  Ivy.     Gill-over-the-ground  (iV.  hederacea).     Page  337. 

In  shaded  places  near  dwellings. 
Dead  Nettle  {Larnium  amplexicaule).     Page  337.     A  weed. 
Motherwort   {Leonurus  Cardiaca).     Page  339.     Common. 
(L.    Marrubiastrum) .      Page    121. 
{L.  sibiricus).     Page  339. 

Wild   Bergamot   {Monarda  Ustulosa).     Page   121.     Often  culti- 
vated and  escaped. 
Summer  Savory  (Saiureja  hortensis).     Page  341.     An  escape. 
Creeping  Thyme   {Thymus  Serpyllum).      Page  342.      Sometimes 

an  escape. 
Common    Nightshade  {Solanum   nigrum).     Page    123.     Appears 

in  damp,  cultivated  ground. 
Tomatillo   {Physalis  ixocarpa).      Page  203.      Often  spontaneous 

in  gardens. 
Strawberry   Tomato.     Ground   Cherry    {P.   pruinosa).     Page 

203. 
Jimson  Weed  {Datura  Stramonium).      Page  124.     A  disagreeable 

weed. 
Thyme-leaved   Speedwell    {Veronica  serpy  Hi  folia).     Page  350. 

A  weed  in  lawns. 
Tartarian   Honeysuckle   {Lonicera  tartarica).     Page  420.     An 

escape. 
Trumpet  Honeysuckle  (L.  sempervirens) .     Page  437. 
American  or  Italian  Woodbine  {L.  Caprifolium).     Page  44S. 
Daisy  Fleabane.    Sweet  Scabious  {Erigeron  annuus).    Page  [38. 

A  weed. 
Horse-weed.     Butter-weed  (£.  un/.d/oLv^).     Page  140.    Waste 

plaees.      A  common  weed. 
Ragweed.      Roman    Wormwood.      Hogweed.       Bitter  -  WEED 

{Ambrosia  artcmisiijolia).      Page  36. 
Great  Ragweed  (.4.  trifida).     Page  37. 

Spiny  Cocklebur.     Clotbur  {Xanthinm  spinosutn).     Page  224. 
{Galinsoga   parviflora).     Page    143.     Common,  especially    in  city 

yards. 

485 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Ox-eye  Daisy.    White-weed   (Chrysanthemum  Leucanthemum) . 

Page  144.     A  weed;  found  in  all  fields. 
Common  Tansy  (Tanacetum  vulgare).     Page  234.     Escaped  from 

gardens,  where  it  once  was  much  cultivated  for  medicinal  pur- 
poses. 
Canada  Thistle  (Cirsium  arvense).     Page  367. 
Bachelor's  Button.     Bluebottle   (Centaurea  Cyanus).     Page 

368.     An  escape. 
Salsify.    Oyster-pl ant  (Tragopogon  porrijolius).     Page  296.    An 

escape. 

I  found  a  seemingly  new  species  once  in  a  walk  along  the 
Pompton  fields  (New  Jersey).  It  was  a  pretty  crimson  flower  of 
the  Composite,  and  as  I  could  not  find  any  mention  of  it  in  the 
Manual  (an  old  edition  of  Gray),  I  plumed  myself  on  being  a 
discoverer,  with  all  the  pride  of  an  amateur  astronomer  who 
locates  a  new  asteroid. 

My  pretty  flower  was  only  an  oyster-plant  "escaped  from 
gardens." 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

OPEN,  DRY,   ROCKY  WOODS  AND   HILLSIDES 

"Come  ye  into  the  summer  woods; 
There  entereth  no  annoy; 
All  greenly  wave  the  chestnut  leaves, 
And  the  earth  is  full  of  joy. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  half  the  sights 
Of  beauty  you  may  see, 
The  bursts  of  golden  sunshine, 
And  many  a  shady  tree." 

— Mary  Howitt. 

"The  green  trees 
Partake  the  deep  contentment;    as  they  bend 
To  the  soft  winds,  the  sun  from  the  blue  sky 
Looks  in  and  sheds  a  blessing  on  the  scene. 
Scarce  less  the  cleft-born  wild  flower  seems  to  enjoy 
Existence  than  the  winged  plunderer 
That  sucks  its  sweets.     The  mossy  rocks  themselves, 
And  the  old  and  ponderous  trunks  of  prostrate  trees 
That  lead  from  knoll  to  knoll  a  causey  rude 
Or  bridge  the  sunken  brook,  and  their  dark  roots 
With  all  their  earth  upon  them,  twisting  high, 
Breathe  fixed  tranquillity.     The  rivulet 
Sends  forth  glad  sounds,  and  tripping  o'er  its  bed 
Of  pebbly  sands,  or  leaping  down  the  rocks, 
Seems,  with  continuous  laughter,  to  rejoice 
In  its  own  being." 

— Bryant. 

Wild    Orange-red    Lily    (Lilium   philadelphicum) .     Page    152. 

Found  also  in  dry  soil  along  roadsides. 
Fly  Poison  (Amkinthiiun  muscaetoxicum).     Page  44. 
{Oakesia  sessili folia).     Page   150. 

Small  Solomon's  Seal  (Polygonatum  biflorum).     Page  156. 
Colic-root.     Star  Grass.     {Aletris  farinosa).     Page  50. 

487 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Stemless  Lady's  Slipper  (Cypripedium  acaule).     Page  244. 
Larger  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper   (C.  parviflorum,  var.  pubescens). 

Page  160. 
Nodding  Pogonia  {Pogonia  trianthopkora) .     Page  248. 
Whorled  Pogonia  (P.  verticillata) .     Page  160. 
Smaller  Whorled  Pogonia  (P.  affinis).     Page  160. 
Rattlesnake  Plantain   (Epipactis  decipiens).     Page   56. 
(E.  pubescens) .     Page  54. 
Coral  Root   (Corallorrhiza  maculata).     Page  304.     This  species 

has  a  white  lip  spotted  with  crimson. 
(C.  Wisteriana).     Page  304.     Lip  spotted  with  crimson. 
(C.   odontorhiza) .      Page  303. 

(C.  striata).     Page  304.     Lip  striped  with  purple. 
Twa yblade  (Liparis  liliifolia).     Page  304.     Lip  entire,  purplish. 
Green  Alder.     Mountain  Alder   (Alnus  crispa).     Page  382. 
{Polygonum  dumetorum).      One  of  the  climbing  buckwheat  family, 

often  found  in  woods,  near  the  coast.      Similar  to  P.  scandens, 

page  383. 
Forked    Chickweed    (Anychia  polygonoides) .     Page  60.     Some- 
times found  in  open  woods. 
Wild  Pink  (Silene  pennsylvanica) .     Page  256.      Often  found  at 

the  base  of  rocks  or  on  the  edges  of  woods. 
Fire  Pink.     Catchfly  (S.  virginica).     Page  256. 
Starry  Campion  (S.  stellata).     Page  66. 
Moss    Campion     (S.    acaulis).     Page    307.     Almost    an    Alpine 

species,   found  on  the  summits  of  the  White  Mountains  and 

northward. 
Spring  Beauty   (Claytonia  virginica).     Page  258.     A  streak  of 

moist  soil  will  attract  this  little  plant. 
(C.  caroliniana) .     Page  258. 
Hooked  Crowfoot    (Ranunculus  recurvatus).      Page    165.     The 

hooks  are  on  the  achenes. 
Early   Crowfoot    (R.    fascicularis) .     Page    165.     The   fascicled 

roots  of  this  plant  give  the  specific  name. 
Early  Meadow  Rue  (Thalictrum  dioicum).     Page  30. 
Rue    Anemone    (Anemonella   thalictroides) .      Page    69.      Leaves 

similar  to  those  of  the  meadow  rue.     A  few  flowers  in  an  umbel. 
Hepatica.      Liverleaf   (Hepatica  triloba).     Page  308. 
(H.  acutiloba).      Page  308. 

Thimbleweed  (Anemone  cylindrica).     Page  71. 
(.4.  virginiana).     Page  30.     Also  in  meadows. 
Wood  Anemone   (.4.  quinquefolia) .     Page  71.     A  single  flower. 
Marsh    Clematis     (Clematis    crispa).     Page    451.     A    southern 

species. 
Purple  Clematis  (C.  ochroleuca).     Page  308.     Rare.     South  of 

New  York. 

488 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Whorled  Clematis  (C.  verticillaris).  Page  450.  A  purple- 
flowered  species. 

Wild  Columbine  (Aquilegia  canadensis).  Page  372.  Delights 
in  rocks  and  rocky  soil. 

Dwarf  Larkspur  (Delphinium  tricorne).     Page  310. 

Tall  Larkspur  (D.  exaltatum).     Page  310. 

Carolina  Allspice  (Calycanthus  floridus) .  Page  451.  On  hill- 
sides. 

(C.  fertilis) .     Page  451. 

Twinleaf.     Rheumatism  Root  (Jeffersonia  diphylla).     Page  74. 

American  Barberry  (Berberis  canadensis).     Page  427. 

Hairy  Rock  Cress  (Arabis  hirsuta).     Page  81. 

(.4.   laevigata).     Page  81. 

Sickle-pod   (A.  canadensis).     Page  81. 

Stonecrop  (Seduni  ternatiim).      Page  83. 

False  Goat's  Beard  (Astilbe  bitemata).  Page  171.  A  southern 
species. 

Early  Saxifrage  (Saxifraga  virginiensis) .     Page  S^. 

Yellow  Mountain  Saxifrage  (5.  aizoides).     Page  171. 

False  Miterwort  (Tiarella  cordifolia) .     Page  85. 

Alum  Root  (Heuchera  americana).     Page  ^^. 

Wild  Hydrangea  (Hydrangea  arborescens) .     Page  395. 

Prickly  Gooseberry.     Dogberry  (Ribes  Cynosbati).     Page  384. 

Missouri  Gooseberry  (R.  gracile).  A  species  with  red,  stout, 
long  spines,  few  or  no  prickles.  Flowers,  white,  on  long  ped- 
uncles. Berries,  rather  large,  purplish.  Leaves,  finely  toothed, 
3  to  5  lobed.     South  of  Connecticut. 

Smooth  Gooseberry  (R.  oxyacanthoides) .     Page  384. 

Shad   Bush.     Service  Berry    (Amelanchicr   canadensis).     Page 

397- 
(A.  oblongifolia) .      Page  397. 

(.1 .  oligocarpa).    Page  397.     Cold  swamps  of  mountain  woods. 
Bramble  (Rubus  idaeus,  var.  aculeatissimus) .     Pago  398. 
Mountain  Blackberry  (R.  allegheniensis) .     Pago  398. 
Creeping  Dalibarda  (Dalibarda  repens).     Page  87. 
Agrimony    (Agrimonia  gyrosepala).     Page  176. 
(A.  mollis).      Page  176. 
(.4.  rostellata).      Page  176. 

Choke  Cherry  (Primus  virginiana).      Page  401. 
Wild  Indigo  (Baptisia  tinctoria).     Page  179. 
Tick  Trefoil  (Desmodium   nudiftorum).     Page  313. 
(D.  grandiflorum).      Page  314. 
(D.  rotundijolium).      Page  314. 
(D.   bractcosum).      Pago  314. 
(D.   paniculatum) .      Pago  314. 
(D.  canadense) .     Pago  314. 

489 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Wild  Bean  (Apios  tuberosa).     Page  453.     In  thickets  and  woods. 
Grooved  Yellow  Flax  (Lwmjm  5«toiMw).     Page  181.     Infields 

and  woods. 
Slender  Yellow  Flax  (L.  virginianum).     Page  181. 
Violet  Wood  Sorrel  (Oxalis  violacea).     Page  319. 
Wild  Cranesbill   {Geranium  macula-turn).     Page  262.     Also  in 

fields  adjoining  woods. 
Fringed  Polygala.    Flowering  Wintergreen  (Polygala  pauci- 

flora).     Page   262. 
Dwarf  Sumach  (Rhus  copallina).     Page  389.     Easily  known  by 

the  winged  petioles.     Not  a  poisonous  species. 
Red-root  (Ceanothus  ovatus).     Page  404. 
New  Jersey  Tea  (C.  americanus).     Page  404. 
Virginia  Creeper.    Woodbine  (P  seder  a  quinque  folia).    Page  390. 

Not  confined  to  woods,  but  taking  kindly  to  any  kind  of  soil. 
Northern  Fox  Grape  (Vitis  labrusca).     Page  391.     In  thickets 

with  dry  or  damp  soil. 
Summer  Grape.     Pigeon  Grape  (V .  aestivalis).    Page  392.     Also 

in  thickets. 
St.  Peter's-wort  (Ascyrum  stans).     Page  185.     In  pine  barrens. 
St.   Andrew's  Cross    (A.  hypericoides).     Page    186.     Wet  pine 

barrens. 
Violet  (Viola  palmata).     Page  322.     Also  in  open,  dry  fields. 
Downy  Yellow  Violet  (V.  pubescens).     Page  193. 
Canada  Violet  (V.  canadensis).     Page  373. 
Long-spurred  Violet  (V.  rostrata).     Page  322. 
Prickly    Pear.     Indian    Fig    (Opuntia    vulgaris).      Page    194. 

Found  also  in  sandy  fields. 
(O.  Rafinesquii) .     Page  194. 

Great    Willow  Herb     (Epilobium   angustifolium) .      Page    271. 
Where    light   woods    have    been    burned    over    and    in    recent 
clearings. 
Sweet  Cicely  (Osmorhiza  Claytoni).     Page  102. 
(O.  longistylis).     Page  102. 

Golden  Alexanders  (Zizia  aurea).    Page  198.    I  have  found  this 
pretty  plant  bordering  woods  paths,  both  on  dry  hillsides  and 
in  moist  ground.     It  also  may  be  found  on  the  banks  of  rivers. 
(Taenidia  integerrima).     Page  197. 
Meadow  Parsnip  (Thaspium  aureum).     Page  197. 
Round-leaved  Cornel  (Cornus  circinata).     Page  405. 
White  Alder  (Clethra  acuminata).     Page  408. 
Prince's  Pine.     Pipsissewa  (Chimaphila  umbellata).     Page  274. 
Spotted  Wintergreen  (C.  maculata).     Page  274. 
Shin  Leaf  (Pyrola  elliptica).     Page  no. 
(P.  americana).     Page  no. 

Mountain  Laurel.     Calico  Bush  (Kalmia  latifolia).     Page  410. 

490 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Mountain  Heath  {Phyllodice  coerulea). — Family,  Heath.  A  low, 
evergreen  shrub  whose  stems  are  crowned  with  long,  narrow 
leaves.  Branches  tipped  with  purplish  bell-shaped  flowers  on 
long  peduncles,  single  or  in  clusters.  Found  on  high  moun- 
tains in  New  Hampshire,  Maine  and  northward,  toward  the 
latter  part  of  summer. 

Fetter  Bush  (Leucothoc  recurva).     Page  410. 

Trailing  Arbutus.  Ground  Laurel  (Epigaea  repens).  Page 
no.     Called  also  Mayflower.     Mostly  in  pine  woods. 

Checkerberry.  Creeping  Wintergreen  (Gaultheria  procum- 
bens).     Page  112.     Light,  sandy  woods,  especially  pine  woods. 

Be arberry  (Arctostaphylos  Uva-ur si).  Page  413.  Often  in  pine 
woods. 

Alpine   Bearberry   (A.  alpina).     Page  415. 

Deerberry.  Squaw  Huckleberry  (Vaccinium  stamineum). 
Page  415. 

Low  Sweet  Blueberry.  Early  Sweet  Blueberry  (V.  pennsyl- 
vanicum).     Page  417. 

Late  Low  Blueberry  (V.  vacillans).     Page  417. 

Flowering  Moss.  Pyxie  {Pyxidanthera -barbulata).  Page  114. 
Pine  barrens. 

Galax  (Galax  aphylla).  Of  the  same  family  as  the  Pyxie,  the 
Diapensia,  this  evergreen  herb  sends  up  from  a  tuft  of  creeping 
rootstocks  roundish,  heart-shape,  crenately  toothed,  thick 
leaves,  which  are  much  used  for  funeral  wreaths.  A  spike  of 
small,  white  flowers  terminates  a  slender  scape.  Found  south- 
ward, in  open  woods,  from  Virginia  to  Georgia. 

Chickweed  Wintergreen  (Trientalis  americana).     Page  116. 

Sto  rax  (Styrax  grandifolia) .     Page  417. 

(5.  pulverulenta) .     Page  418.     Pine  barrens. 

Stiff  Gentian   (Gentiana  quinquefolia) .     Page  326. 

Spreading  Dogbane  (Apocynum  androsaemifolium).     Page  446. 

Four-leaved  Milkweed  (Asclepias  quadrifolia) .     Page  284. 

Whorled-leaved  Milkweed  (A.  verticillata) .     Page  118. 

Downy  Phlox  (Phlox  pilosa).     Page  285. 

Ground  Pink.     Moss  Pink  (P.  subulata).     Page  285. 

Greek  Valerian  (Polcmonium  reptans).     Page  328. 

Early  Scorpion  Grass  (Myosotis  virginica).     Page  iiq. 

Gromwell  (Litliospermum  Gmelini).     Page  200. 

False  Gromwell  (Onosmodium  virginianum) .     Page  202. 

Skullcap  (Scutellaria  nervosa).     Page  335. 

Giant  Hyssop   (Agastache  nepetoides).     Page  202. 

(A.  scrophulariae folia) .     Page  337. 

Lyre-leaved  Sage   (Salvia  lyrata).     Page  340. 

(Blephilia  ciliata).      Page  341. 

Wood  Mint  (B.  hirsuta).     Page  341. 

491 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Basil  (Satureja  vulgaris).     Page  341. 

Mount     n  Mint  (Pycnanthemum  jilexitosum).     Page  342. 

(P.  virginianum).      Page  342. 

(P.  Torreyi).      Page  342. 

(P.  incanum).     Page  342. 

(P.  muticum).     Page  342. 

Dittany  (Cunila  origanoides) .     Page  123. 

Figwort  (Scrophularia  marilandica) .     Page  347. 

Yellow  Gerardia   (Gerardia  pedicularia) .     Page  206. 

Downy  False  Foxglove  (G.  flava).     Page  206. 

Smooth  False  Foxglove  (G.  virginica).     Page  206. 

Cow  Wheat  (Melampyrum  lineare).     Page  208. 

Eyeb right   (Euphrasia  Oakesii).     Page   127. 

Wood    Betony.     Common  Lousewort  (Pedicularis  canadensis). 

Page  374- 
Lopseed  (Phyrma  Leptostachya).     Page  291. 
Hairy  Bedstraw  (Galium  pilosum).     Page  351. 
Rough  Bedstraw  (G.  asprellum).     Page  129. 
Sweet-scented   Bedstraw   (G.  triflorum).     Page  36. 
Partridge    Berry    (Mitchella   re  pens) .     Page    129.     Found    es- 
pecially in  coniferous  woods. 
Bush  Honeysuckle  (Diervilla  Lonicera).     Page  435. 
Hairy  Honeysuckle   (Lonicera  hirsuta).     Page  436. 
Snowberry  (Symphoricarpos  racemosus).     Page  421. 
Dockmackie.      Arrow-wood     (Viburnum     acerifolium) .       Page 

422. 
Downy  Arrow-wood  (V*.  pubescens).     Page  422. 
Red-berried  Elder  (Sambucus  racemosa).     Page  423. 
Harebell.     Bluebell  (Campanula  rotundifolia) .     Page  352. 
Upland  Boneset   (Eupatorium  sessilifolium) .     Page  132. 
Vanilla  Plant  (Trilisa  odoratissima) .      Page  294.     Pine  barrens 

of  Virginia  and  southward. 
Golden-rod  (Solidago  squarrosa).     Page  214. 

(S.  caesia).     Page  214. 

(S.  stricta).     Page  218. 

(S.  speciosa).     Page  216. 

(S.  arguta).     Page  222. 

(S.  juncea).     Page  220. 

(S.  fistulosa).     Page  218. 

(S.  ulmifolia).      Page  216. 

Aster   (Aster  macrophyllus).     Page   134. 

(A.  undulatus).     Page  359. 

White  Heath  Aster  (A.  ericoides).     Page  134. 

White-topped  Aster  (Seriocarpus  asteroides) .     Page  140. 

Ox-eye  (Heliopsis  helianthoides) .     Page  224. 

Woodland  Sunflower  (Helianthus  divaricatus) .     Page  230. 

492 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

Blue  Lettuce  {Lactuca  villa sa) .     Page  370. 
Rattlesnake- weed   (Hicracium  venosum).     Page  240. 
Panicled  Hawkweed  (H.  paniculatnm) .     Page  240. 
Rough  Hawkweed  (H.  scabrum).     Page  240. 
Canada  Hawkweed  (H.  canadense).     Page  240. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

DEEP.  COOL,  SHADED,  DAMP  WOODS 

"Though  plants  are  often  referred  to  primitive  woods  as  their 
locality,  it  cannot  be  true  to  very  many.  Only  those  which  re- 
quire but  little  light  and  can  bear  the  drip  of  trees  penetrate  the 
woods,  and  these  have,  commonly,  more  beauty  in  their  leaves 
than  in  their  pale  and  almost  colorless  blossoms." 

— Thoreau. 

Indian    Turnip.      Jack-in-the-pulpit    (Arisacma     triphyllum) . 

Page  20. 
Green  Dragon  Root  (.41  Draconiium).     Page  20. 
Day-flower  (Commclina  virginica).     Page  299. 
Bellwort   (Uvularia  pcrfoliata) .      Page  150. 
Large-flowered  Bellwort  (U .  grandiflora) .     Page  150. 
Wild  Leek  {Allium  Iricoccum) .     Page  46. 
Yellow  Clintonia   (Clinlonia  borealis).     Page   156. 
White  Clintonia  (C.  umbelhilata) .     Page  47. 
False  Lily  of  the  Valley  (Maianthemum  canadense).     Page  48. 
Twisted-stalk  {Streptopus  antplexifolius) .     Page  48. 
Sessile-leaved  Twisted-stalk  (S.  roseus).     Page  243. 
Indian  Cucumber-root  (Medeola  virginiana).     Page  157. 
Wake  Robin  (Trillium  erectum).     Page  244. 
Large-flowered  Wake  Robin  (7*.  grandifiorum) .     Page  48. 
Nodding  Wake  Robin  (T.  cernuum).     Page  50. 
Painted  Trillium  (T.  undulatum).     Page  50. 
Orchis  (Orchis  rotundifolia) .     Page  246. 
Showy  Orchis  (O.  spectabilis).     Page  246. 
Tall,  Leafy  Green  Orchis  (Habenaria  hyperborea).      Page  23. 

In  peat  bogs  and  cold,  wet  woods. 
(H.  dilatata).     Page  52. 

Rattlesnake  Plantain  (Epipactis  repens).     Page  54. 
Southern  Twayblade  (Listera  australis).     Page  160. 
Twayblade  (L.  convallarioides) .     Page  160. 
Calypso  (Calypso  bulbosa).     Page  372. 

Putty-root.     Adam-and-Eve  (A plectrum  hyemale).     Page  372. 
Crane  Fly  Orchis   (Tipularia  discolor).      Page  24.      From  the 

494 


HABITATS    OF    PLANTS 

above  enumeration  it  will  be  seen  that  many  of  our  finest 
native  orchids  flourish  only  in  the  shade  of  thick  woods.  With 
the  wholesale  cutting  away  of  our  virginal  forests,  these  flowers 
disappear,  and  may  soon  be  as  hard  to  find  as  the  American 
buffalo. 

Richweed.     Clearweed  (Pilea  pumila).     Page  26. 

Wild  Ginger  {Asarum  canadense).     Page  305. 

Virginia  Snakeroot  (Aristolochia  Serpentaria) .     Page  305. 

Pipe  Vine.     Dutchman's  Pipe   (A.  macro phylla).     Page  448. 

Woolly  Pipe  Vine  (.4.  tomentosa).     Page  450. 

Black  Snakeroot.  Black  Cohosh.  B ugb an e  (Cimicifugarace- 
mosa).     Page  73. 

Red  Baneberry  {Actaea  rubra).     Page  73. 

White  Baneberry  {A.  alba).     Page  73. 

Orange  Root.     Yellow  Puccoon  (Hydrastis  canadensis).     Page 

74- 
Blue  Cohosh  (Caulo phyllum  thalictroides).     Page  30. 
Spice  Bush.     Benjamin  Bush  {Benzoin  aestivale).     Page  427. 
Bloodroot   {Sanguinaria  canadensis).     Page  75. 
Celandine  Poppy  (Stylophorum  diphyUum).     Page  168. 
Dutchman's  Breeches  (Dicentra  Cncullaria).     Page  77. 
Squirrel  Corn  (D.  canadensis).     Page  77. 
Toothwort.      Pepper-root  (Dcntaria  di phylla).     Page  80. 
(D.  laciniaia).     Page  80. 

Miterwort.      Bishop's  Cap   (Milclla  diphylla).      Page  85. 
1  M .    niida).      Page   ^3. 
Witch-hazel  (Hamamelis  virginiana).     Page  4.28.     Pound  also 

in  rich  soil  along  the  banks  of  streams. 
Goat's  Beard  (Aruncus  Sylvester).     Page  86. 
Indian    Physic      Bowman's    Root    (Gillcnia    trijoliata).      Page 

86. 
White  Avens  (Gciim  canadense).      Page  87. 
Hog  Peanut  (Amphicarpa  monoica).     Page  454. 
Herb  Robert  (Geranium  Robcrtiantim) .     Page  201. 
American  Holly  {Ilex  opaca).     A  low  tree,  20  to  30  feet  high, 

found  in  moist  woods  near  the  coast  from  Massachusetts  south- 
ward. 
Casshna.      Yaupon    (/.  vomitoria).      Page  402. 
Large-leaved   Holly  (/.   monHcola).     Page  403.     Chiefly  upon 

mountains. 
American  Bladder  Nut  {Staphylea  trifolia).     Page  403. 
Green   Violet   (Hyhanllius  concolor).     Page  <>4. 
(Viola  blanda).      Va^-  <><>■     Sometimes  found  in  open,  swampy 

w<>  ids. 
Round-leaved  Violet.    Early  Yellow  Violbt(V  rotundifolia). 

Page   [93. 

49S 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 

Yellow    Passion    Flower    (Passiflora    luted).     Page    431.     A 

southern  species. 
Wicopy.     Leatherwood.     Moosewood  (Dirca  palustris).     Page 

43  *■ 

Spikenard  (Aralia  racemosa).     Page  98. 

Wild  Sarsaparilla  (.4.  nudicaulis).     Page  98. 

Ginseng   (Panax  quinquefolium) .     Page  98. 

Dwarf  Ginseng.     Ground-nut  (P.  trifolium).     Page  100. 

Black  Sxakeroot.     S anicle  {Sanicula  marilandica) .     Page  102. 

Dwarf  Cornel.     Bunchberry  {Camus  canadensis).     Page  405. 

One-flowered  Pyrola  (Moneses  uniflora).     Page  108. 

Labrador  Tea  {Ledum  groenlandicum) .     Page  408. 

Great  Laurel  (Rlwdodendron  maximum).     Page  411.     Common 

in  the  Alleghanies. 
Creeping  Snowberry.      Moxie  Plum.     Capillaire    (Chiogenes 

liispidula).      Page  114. 
Blue  Tangle.     Dangleberry  (Gaylussacia  frondosa).    Page  444. 
American    Cowslip.      Shooting    Star     (Dodecatheon     Mcadia). 

Page  278. 
Indian  Pink.      Pink-root  (Spigelia  marilandica).     Page  373. 
Pennywort   (Obolaria  virginica).     Page   118. 
Wild  Sweet  William  {Phlox  maculata).     Page  284. 
Creeping  Phlox   (P.  stolonifera) .     Page  285. 
Blue  Phlox   (P.  divaricata).     Page  328. 
Waterleaf  {Hydro phyllum  macro phyiliun).     Page  [19. 
{H.  virginianum) .     Page  119. 
{H.  canadense).     Page  118. 
Rich-weed.    Stone-root.    Horse  Balm  {Collinsonia canadensis) . 

Page    202. 
Culver's-root.    Culver's  Physic  {Veronica virginica).    Page  127. 
American  Fly  Honeysuckle  {Lonicera  canadensis) .     Page  436. 
Twin-flower  {Linnaea  borealis).      Page  292. 
Horse  Gentian.     Feverwort.      Wild  Coffee  {Triosteum  pcr- 

foliatum).     Page  352. 
Cranberry  Tree  {Viburnum  Opulus,  var.  americanum).      Page 

421. 
White  Snakeroot    {Eupatorium  urticae folium) .     Page  132. 
{E.  aromaticum).     Page   132. 
Golden-rod   (Solidago  latifolia).     Page   214. 
(5.  rugosa).     Page  216. 
(S.  canadensis).     Page  218. 
(5.  scrotina).      Page  220. 

Umbelled  Aster  (Aster  umbellatus).     Page  138. 
Robin's  Plantain  (Erigeron  pulchellus).     Page  364. 
Leafcup  (Polymnia  canadensis).      Page  224. 
Firewlei)  (Erechtiles  hieracifoUa) .     Page  144. 

•1')'' 


HABITATS   OF    PLANTS 

Great  Indian  Plantain  (Cacalia  reniformis).     Page  144. 
Pale  Indian  Plantain  (6\  atriplicifolia) .     Page  144. 
Cynthia  (Krigia  amplexicaulis).     Page  237. 
White  Lettuce.      Rattlesnake-root  (Prenanthes  alba).      Page 

146. 
Wild  Lettuce  (P.  altissima).     Page  146. 


CHAPTER   XX 

PARASITIC  PLANTS 

American  Mistletoe  (PItoradendron  flavescens).     Page  425.     On 

deciduous  trees. 
Dwarf    Mistletoe    (Arceuthobium    pusillum).     Page    426.     On 

pines  and  larches. 
Indian  Pipe.     Corpse  Plant  (Monotropa  uniflora).     Page   no. 

In  shaded  woods,  especially  pine.     Possessing  no  chlorophyll, 

and  parasitic  on  roots  or  saprophytic  on  decaying    vegetable 

matter. 
Pinesap.     False  Beech  Drops  (M.  Hypopitis) .     Page  276.     In 

rich  woods,  like  the  preceding. 
Dodder.      Love    Vine    (Cuscuta  arvensis).     Page  433.     In  dry 

soil,   parasitic  on  many  small  plants. 
(C.  Coryli).     Page  433.     Parasitic  on  shrubs  in  open  woods,  etc. 
(C.  Gronovii).     Page  432.     The   commonest   of  the  genus,  para- 
sitic on  herbs  and  shrubs  growing  in  wet  or  dry  woods. 
Cancer-root.     Beech-drops   (Epifagus  virginiana).     Page  351. 

Parasitic  on  the  roots  of  beech,  and  occasionally  other  trees. 
Squaw-root.     Cancer-root  (Conopholis  americana).     Page  210. 

Root  parasite. 
One-flowered   Cancer- root    (Orobanche  uniflora).     Page  351. 

In    damp   woodlands.     Other   members   of   this   genus   attack 

clover,  hemp,  tomato  vines,  tobacco,  etc. 


THE   FLOWER   CALENDAR 

CHAPTER    XXI 

March,  April 

In  the  latitude  of  New  York  but  few  native  wild  flowers  are 
hardy  enough  to  endure  the  severe  climate  of  early  spring.  March 
is  the  month  of  preparation  in  the  vegetable  world.  The  plants 
still  seem  asleep,  but  myriads  of  seeds  dropped  last  fall,  all  the 
perennial  herbs,  shrubs  and  trees  feel  stirrings  of  life,  and  start 
to  grow  before  the  advent  of  April,  the  true  month  of  leaves  and 
first  blossoms.  Some  trees,  as  the  silver  maple,  birches,  and 
alders,  blossom  very  early,  introducing  the  Flower  Calendar;  and 
a  curious  perennial  herb  called  Christmas  Flower  (Helleborus 
viridis),  lately  naturalized  from  Europe,  which  blossoms  from 
December  to  April,  has  been  found  wild  in  a  few  spots  in  Long 
Island,  Pennsylvania,  and  West  Virginia.  It  is  of  the  Crowfoot 
Family,  has  minute  petals,  larger  sepals,  nodding,  single  flowers, 
large,  palmate  leaves. 

Beginning  then  with  March,  in  the  latter  half  of  that  month 
and  first  part  of  April,  one  may  quite  surely  find : 

Skunk  Cabbage  {Symplocarpus  joetidus).     Page  21. 

White  Dog's-tooth  Violet   (Erythronium  album).     Page  46. 

Liverleaf  {Hcpatica  triloba).      Page  308. 

Marsh  Marigold  (Caltha  palustris).     Page  166. 

Wild  Allspice  or  Fever  Bush  {Benzoin  aestivale).     Page  427. 

A  shrub  with  yellow  blossoms. 
A  Small  Mustard  (Draba  caroliniana).     Page  7c). 
Snowdrop  and  Star  of   Bethlehem  of  our    gardens.     For   the 

latter,  see  page  46. 
Fetter  Bush  (Lcucothoc  axillaris).     Page  410.     In  bloom   until 

last  of  April. 
The  beautiful   Yellow  Jessamine   of  the  South    (Gelsetninum 

sempervirens) .     Page  432. 
Pennywort   (Obolaria  virginica).     Page   118. 

499 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

April,  May 

In  April  the  flower  season  has  fairly  begun.  We  may  look  now 
for  the  following  blossoms,  many  of  which  continue  until  May,  or 
even  later: 

Two  species  of  Bellwort  (Uvularia  perfoliata  and  U.  grandiflora) , 
page  150;  also  the  allied  species  (Oakesia  sessilifolius  and  O. 
puberula),  page  150.  From  April  to  the  last  of  May  or  first 
of  June. 

Grape  Hyacinth  (Muscari  botryoides).     Page  300. 

Wake  Robin    {Trillium  erectum).     Page  244.     Until  May. 

(T.  grandijlorum) .  Page  48.  (T.  cernuum  and  T.  undulatum). 
Page  50.  The  trilliums  are  often  in  bloom  through  the  greater 
part  of  May. 

Blue-eyed  Grass  (Sisyrinchium  gramineum).  Page  302.  April- 
June. 

Hazlenut  (Corylus  americana  and  C.  rostrata).  Page  380.  Two 
species  of  this  shrub.    April,  May. 

Other  shrubs  coming  into  blossom  in  this  month  are  the  birches 
and  alders  {Betula  and  Alnus).     Page  381. 

Wild  Ginger  (Asarum  canadense).     Page  305.     Until  May. 

Wild  Pink  (Silene  pennsylvanica) .     Page  256.     April-June. 

Spring  Beauty  (Claytonia  virginica  and  C.  caroliniana) .  Page 
258. 

Crowfoots  (Ranunculus  pusillus,  R.  abortivus  and  R.  fascicu- 
laris),  pages  164  and  165,  may  be  found  in  bloom  all  summer. 

Early  Meadow  Rue  (Thalictrum  dioicum).    Page  30.    April,  May. 

Wood  Anemone  (Anemone  quinque folia).     Page  71.     April,  May. 

Marsh  Marigold  (Caltha  palustris).     Page  166.     April-June. 

Wild  Columbine  (Aquilegia  canadensis).     Page  372. 

Dwarf  Larkspur  (Delphinium  tricorne).     Page  310. 

Red  Baneberry  (Actaea  rubra).     Page  73. 

White  Baneberry  (A.  alba).     Page  73. 

Golden  Seal  (Hydrastis  canadensis).     Page  74. 

Shrub  Yellow- root  (Zanthorhiza  apiifolia).  Page  451.  April- 
August. 

Carolina  Allspice  (Calycanthus  floridus).  Page  451.  April- 
August. 

Twinleaf   (Jeffersonia  diphylla).     Page  74.     April,  May. 

Blue  Cohosh  (Caulophyllum  thalictroides) .  Page  30.  April, 
May. 

Bloodroot  (Sanguinaria  canadensis).     Page  75.     April,  May. 

Dutchman's  Breeches  (Dicentra  Cucullaria).  Page  77.  April, 
May. 

Squirrel  Corn  (D.  canadensis) .     Page  77.     April,  May. 

SOO 


THE   FLOWER   CALENDAR 

Whitlow  Grass  (Draba  verna).     Page  77.     April,   May. 

Shepherd's  Purse  (Capsella  Bursa- pastor  is).     Page  79.     April 
September. 

Hedge  Mustard  (Sisymbrium  officinale).     Page  1 70.     April,  May. 

Mouse-ear  Cress  (.v.  Thalianum).     Page  70.     April,  May. 

Pepper- root  (Dentaria  diphylla).     Page  so.     April,   May. 

(£>.  laciniata).      Page  80.      Until  early  May. 

Rock  Cress  (Arabis  lyrata).     Page  81.     April-July. 

Trumpets  (Sarracenia  flava).  April.  A  southern  species  of 
Pitcher-plant,  with  yellow  flowers  and  long  trumpet -shape 
leaves. 

Early  Saxifrage  (Saxifraga  virginiensis) .  Page  83.  April- 
June. 

False  Miterwort  (Tiarella  cor dif olio).     Page  85.      April-June. 

Chokeberry  (Pyrus  arbutifolia) .     Page  395.     April-June. 

Wild  Strawberry  (Fragaria  Virginia na) .     Page  86.    April,  May. 

Sand  Cherry  (Prunus  pumila).      Page  401.      April,  May. 

Wild  Cranesbill  (Geranium  maculatum).  Page  262.  April- 
July. 

Green    Violet    (Hybanthns    concolor).     Page    04.     April -July. 

Wicopy   (Dirca  palustris).      Page  431.     April. 

Ginseng  (Panax  tri  folium).     Page  100.     April,  May. 

Cassandra  (Chamaedaphne  calyculata) .     Page  413.     April,  May. 

Trailing  Arbutus  (Epigaea  repens).  Page  no.  April  to  the 
first  half  of  May. 

Flowering  Moss.  Pyxie  (Pyxidanthera  barbulata).  Page  114. 
April,  May. 

Myrtle  (Vinca  minor).     Page  326.     April-June. 

Moss  Pink  (Phlox  subulata).     Page  285.     April-June. 

Greek  Valerian  (Polemonium  roptans).  Page  328.  April- 
June. 

Early  Scorpion  Grass  (Mvosotis  virginica).  Page  119.  April- 
July. 

Virginian  Cowslip  (Mcrtensia  virginica).  Page  330.  April. 
May. 

Corn  Gromwell  (Lithospcrmum  arvense).  Page  [19.  April- 
June. 

Skullcap  (Scutellaria  parvula).      Page  335.      April-July. 

Dead  Nettle  (Lamium  amplexicaule).  Page  337.  April- 
October. 

One-flowered  Cancer-root  (Orobanche  uniflora).  Page  351. 
April-July. 

Bluets  (Houstonia  coerulea) .     Page  120.     April-July. 

American  Ply  Honeysuckle  (Lonicer a  canadensis).  Page  436. 
April- June. 

Robin's  Plantain  (Erigeron  pulchellus).     Page  $64.     April-June. 

501 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Plantain-leaved  Everlasting  (Antennaria  plantaginifolia) . 
Page  140.     April-June. 

Dwarf  Dandelion  (Krigia  virginica) .     Page  236.     April- August. 

Common  Dandelion  {Taraxacum  officinale).  Page  237.  April- 
September. 

May,  June,  or  Later 

In  May  not  only  are  many  of  the  spring  flowers  still  in  bloom, 
but  the  summer  groups  are  hurrying  on.  The  list  is  therefore 
long.  Beginning  in  May,  many  flowers  continue  until  July  or 
August.  He  who  overlooks  this  "merry  month"  misses  the 
flowers'  choicest  gifts.  The  list  here  given  comprises  the  most 
important  flowers  which  begin  to  blossom  in  May,  but  continue 
into,  perhaps,  late  summer  or  early  autumn.  Weeds  and  unim- 
portant plants  are  omitted. 

Arrow  Grass  {Triglochin  maritima).     Page  20.     May. 
Arrow-head    (Sagittaria    latifolia).     Page  40.     Last  of  May  or 

first  of  June  until  July. 
Bunch-flower    (Melanthium    virginicum).     Page    22.     Crisped 

Bunch-flower  (M.  latifolium).     Page  46.     These  two   from 

May  to  June. 
False  Spikenard   (Smilacina   racemosa,  S.  stellata,  S.  trifolia). 

Pages  47  and  48.     May,  June. 
False  Lily  of  the  Valley  (Maianthemum  canadense) .     Page  48. 
Twisted-stalk  (Streptopus  amplexifolius,  S.  roseus).      Pages  48 

and   243. 
Small  Solomon's  Seal  (Polygonatum  biftorum) .    Page  156.    Early 

May. 
Star  Grass  (Hypoxis  hirsuta).     Page  157.     May,  June. 
Blue-eyed  Grass  (Sisyrinchium  angustifolium) .    Page  302.    May, 

June. 
Iris.      Larger  Blue  Flag  (Iris  versicolor).     Page  300.     Latter 

part  of  May,  June,  or  even  July. 
The  Slender  Blue  Flag   (I.  prismatica).     Page  371.     A  little 

later. 
Ram's  Head  Lady's  Slipper  (Cypripedium  arietinum).   Page  302. 
The  Smaller  Yellow  Lady's   Slipper  (C.  parviflorum),  Small 

White    Lady's    Slipper    (C.  candidum),   and    the    Stemless 

Lady's  Slipper  (C.  acaule),  pages  159,  244,  may  all  be  looked 

for  in  the  months  of  May  and  June. 
Showy  Orchis  (Orchis  spectabilis) .     Page  246. 
Fringed  Orchis  (Habenaria  dilatata).     Page  52.     May- August. 
Whorled  Pogonia   (Pogonia  verticillata).     Page  160. 
(P.  affinis).     Page  160. 

502 


THE    FLOWER   CALENDAR 

Arethusa    (Arethusa  bulbosa).     Page   250. 

Coral  Root  (Corallorrhiza  Wisteriana  and  C.  striata).  Page 
304.     May  be  found  in  May  and  June. 

Calypso  (C.  bulbosa).     Page  372.     May-July. 

Adam-and-Eve  {Aplectrum  hyemale).     Page  372. 

Bastard, Toad  Flax  (Comandra  umbellata).     Page  56. 

Dutchman's  Pipe  (Aristolochia  macrophylla) .     Page  448. 

Broad-leaved  Sandwort  (Arenaria  lateriflora).     Page  64. 

Pine-barren  Sandwort  (A.  Carolinian  a) .    Page  62.     May-July. 

Northern  Stitchwort  (Stellaria  borealis).     Page  65. 

Field  Mouse-ear  Chickweed  (Cerastium  arvense).  Page  65. 
This  and  other  species  bloom  from  May  to  July. 

Hooked  Crowfoot  (Ranunculus  recurvatus).     Page  165. 

Swamp  Buttercup  (R.  septentrionalis) .    Page  165.     May-August. 

Bulbous  Buttercup  (R.  bulbosus).  Page  166.  May-July. 
The  Tall  Buttercup  (R.  acris),  page  166,  so  common  as  to  be 
counted  a  weed,  comes  into  bloom  a  little  later,  from  June  to 
August. 

Rue  Anemone  (Anemonella  thalictroides) .     Page  69. 

Thimbleweed  (Anemone  cylindrical).     Page  71.     May-July. 

LeatherFlower  (Clematis  Viorna).     Page45°-    May- August. 

(C.  ochroleuca).     Page  308.     Blossoms  in  May. 

(C.  crispa).     Page  45 J-     May- August. 

The  Purple  Clematis  (C.  verticillaris) .  Page  45°-  MaY  and 
June. 

Spreading  Globeflower  (Trollius  laxus).     Page  168.     May. 

Goldthread  (Coptis  trifolia).     Page  71.     May-July. 

Sweet  Bay  (Magnolia  virginiana).  A  small  tree  often  culti- 
vated, blossoming  from  May  to  July. 

May  Apple  (Podophyllum  peltatum).     Page  74.     May. 

Umbrella  Leaf  (Diphylleia  cymosa).     Page  75.     May. 

Common  Barberry  (Berberis  vulgaris).     Page  426. 

Celandine   Poppy  (Stylo phor urn  diphyllum).     Page  168.     May. 

Celandine    (Chelidonium  niajus).     Page    168.     May-August. 

Pale  Corydalis  (Corydalis  sempervirens).  Page  258.  May- 
August. 

Golden  Corydalis  (C.  aurea).     Page  169.     May-August. 

Spring  Cress  (Cardamine  bulbosa).     Page  80. 

Cuckoo  Flower  (C.  pratensis).     Page  80.     May. 

Tower  Mustard   (Arabis  glabra).     Page  81.     May-July. 

(A.  hirsuta).     Page  81.     May,  June. 

(A.  laevigata).     Page  81.     May. 

Stonecrop  (Sedum  ternatum).     Page  83.     May. 

Swamp  Saxifrage  (Saxifraga  pennsylvanica).     Page  31. 

Miterwort  (Miiella  diphylla).     Page  85.     May. 
(M.  nuda).     Page  33.     May-July. 

5<\> 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Shad   Bush.      Service    Berry    (Amelanchier   canadensis,    A.  ob- 

longifolia,  A.  oligocarpa),  with  their  related  species.      Page  397. 

May,  June. 
Dwarf  Thorn  (Crataegus  tomentosa).     Page  398.     May. 
Common   Cinquefoil  (Potentilla  canadensis).     Page  174.     May- 

July. 
(P.  monspeliensis).      Page  172.      May- August. 
Wild  Currants  and  Blackberries  come  into  bloom  during  these 

months,  their  different  species  all  bearing  large,  white  flowers. 

See  chapter  on  shrubs. 
Wild  Plums  and  Cherries  are  due  now,  including  the  Beach 

Plum.     Their  fruit  is  ripe  from  one  to  two  months  later.     See 

chapter  on  shrubs. 
Scotch  Broom  {Cytisus  scoparius).     Page  430. 
Wild  Lupine  {Lupinus  perennis).     Page  313. 
Hoary  Pea  {Tephrosia   spicata   and    T.    hispidula).     Page   26 1. 

May-July. 
( T.  Virginia  na) .    Page  260.    Blooms  a  little  later,  from  June  t  o  J  u  1  y . 
{Geranium  carolinianum) .     Page  262.     May,  June. 
Fringed  Polygala  {Poly gala  paucifolia).     Page  262. 
Seneca  Snakeroot  {P.  Senega).     Page  90.     May-July. 
Wild  Ipecac  {Euphorbia  I pecacuanhae) .     Page  33. 
Among  the  fine  shrubs  flowering  now  are  several  species  of  Holly  : 

Cassen-a    {Ilex    vomitoria) ;    Dahoon    Holly    (7.   Cassine),   {I. 

monticola) ;    Black  Alder  (7.  verticillata) .     Pages  401  to  403. 
American  Bladder  Nut  {Siaphylea  trifolia).     Page  403.     May. 
Common   Buckthorn    {Rhamnus  cathartica).     Page  390. 
Red-root  {Ceanothus  ovatus).     Page  404.     May. 
Wild  Grapes,  whose  fruit  is  ripe  in  September,  bring  forth  their 

sweet-scented  flowers  in  May.     Page  396. 
Poverty   Grass    {Hudsonia   tomentosa),   and    Beach    Heather 

{H.  ericoides),  page  430,  bring  out  their  small  yellow  blossoms 

in  May  and  June. 
Many  of  the  Wild  Violets  are  May  flowers.     Such  are  Bird-foot 

Violet    {Viola  pedata),   page  321;     Downy   Yellow   Violet 

(V.   pubescens),   page   193;     {V.   cucullata),   page  322;     Sweet 

White  Violet  {V .  blanda),  page    96;    Lance-leaved    Violet 

(V.  lanceolata),  page   94,  and  others.      A  few  only  are  as  late 

as  June  in  coming  into  blossom. 
Wild  Sarsaparilla  {Aralia  nudicaulis).     Page  98. 
Sweet  Cicely  {Osmorhiza  Claytoni).     Page  102. 
Golden  Alexanders  {Zizia  aurea).     Page  198.     Late  May  and 

June. 
Meadow  Parsnip  {Thaspium  barbinode).     Page  197. 
Labrador  Tea  {Ledum  groenlandicum).     Page  408.     May-July. 
Pinxter  Flower  {Rhododendron  nudiflorum).      Page  441. 

504 


THE    FLOWER    CALENDAR 

Rhodora  (/\.  canadense).     Page  441. 

The  woods  and  hillsides  are  beautiful  with  one  of  our  choicest 
flowering  shrubs,  the  Mountain  Laurel  (Kalmia  latifolia). 
Page  410.  It  is  worth  taking  a  trip  into  New  England  in 
June  to  see  the  masses  of  this  splendid  flower.  From  late 
May  until  early  July. 

Pale  Laurel  {K.  polijolia).     Page  442. 

Bog  Rosemary  (Andromeda  glaucophylla).  Page  412.  May- 
July. 

Bearberry  (Arctostaphylos  Uva-ursi).     Page  413. 

Creeping  Snowberry  {Chiogenes  hispidula).     Page  114. 

Huckleberries,  Blueberries,  and  Cranberries  blossom  in 
May  or  early  June,  producing  fruit  a  little  later.  On  Long 
Island  we  may  have  blueberries  in  the  latter  part  of  June. 
See  chapter  on  shrubs. 

Water  Violet  (Hottonia  inflata).     Page  116. 

Star  Flower  {Trientalis  americana).     Page  116.     May-July. 

American  Cowslip  (Dodecatheon  Meadia).     Page  278. 

Fringe  Tree  {Chionanthus  virginica).     Page  418. 

Indian  Pink  (Spigelia  marilandica) .     Page  373. 

Four-leaved  Milkweed  {Asclepias  quadrifolia) .     Page  284. 

Phlox    {Phlox  pilosa),  {P.  stolonifera).     Page  285. 

Blue  Phlox  {P .  divaricata) .     Page  328. 

Waterleaf  {Hydro  phyllum  macro phyllum),  {H.  virginianum), 
pages  118  and  119. 

Forget-me-not  {Myosotis  laxa).     Page  330. 

Corn  Gromwell  {Lithospermum  arvense).  Page  119.  May- 
August. 

Fog-fruit  {Lippia  lanceolate).     Page   120.     May-September. 

Skullcap    {Scutellaria  integrifolia) .     Page  335. 

Ground  Ivy   {Nepeta  hederacea).     Page  337.     May-July. 

Lyre-leaved  Sage  {Salvia  lyrata).     Page  340. 

Beard-tongue  {Penstemon  hirsutus).     Page  347.     May-July. 

Marsh  Speedwell  (Veronica  scutellata),  Thyme-leaved  Speed- 
well {V.  serpyllifolia).     Page  350.     May- August. 

Wood  Betony   {Pedicularis  canadensis).     Page  374. 

Chaff-seed  {Schwalbea  americana).     Page  350.     May-July. 

Squaw-root   {Conopholis  americana).     Page   210. 

Mountain  Fly  Honeysuckle  {Lonicera  caerulea).  Page  435. 
Other  species  of  Lonicera  blooming  in  May  and  June  are  Tar- 
tarian Honeysuckle  (L.  tartarica),  page  420;  Swamp  Fly 
Honeysuckle  (L.  oblongifolia) ,  page  436;  Trumpet  Honey- 
suckle (L.  sempervirens),  page  437,  May-October;  American 
Woodbine  (L.  Caprifolium),  page  448. 

Hobble  Bush  {Viburnum  alnifolium) ;  Dockmackib  (V.  actrifo- 
liuni) ;    Downy    Arrow- wood    (V.    pubescens);    Withe- rod 

505 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

(V.  cassinoides);    Black  Haw  (V.  prunifolium),  pages  421  to 

423.     These  species  of  Viburnum  put  forth  showy  blossoms  in 

May  and  June. 
Red-berried  Elder  (Sambucus  racemosa).     Page  423.     May. 
Fleabane  (Erigeron  philadelphicus).     Page  294.     May- August. 
Cynthia  (Krigia  amplexicaulis) .     Page  237.     May-August. 
Fall  Dandelion   (Leontodon  autumnalis) .     Page  237.     Late  in 

May  to  November. 
Rattlesnake  -  weed  (Hieracium  venosum).     Page   240.     May- 

September. 

June,  July,  and  August 

Beginning  with  June,  the  summer  flowers  replace  those  of 
early  spring,  many  of  them  continuing  in  bloom  through  July, 
August,  and  even  September.  As  a  rule,  perhaps,  we  may  say 
that  they  are  more  hardy  than  spring  flowers,  since  they  are 
obliged  to  endure  greater  heat  and  drought.  Roadside  plants  and 
weeds  now  flourish,  as  well  as  many  which  seek  the  shade  of  cool 
woods.  The  list  following  includes  those  flowers  which  come 
into  bloom  first  in  June. 

Bur-reed  (Sparganium  eurycarpum),  (S.  simplex),  (5.  mini- 
mum), pages  38  to  40.     June- August. 

Bog  Asphodel  (Narthecium  americanum).  Page  149.  June, 
July. 

Blazing  Star  (Chamaelirium  luteum).     Page  44.     June. 

Fly  Poison  {Amianthium  muscaetoxicum) .    Page  44.    June,  July. 

White  Hellebore  (Veratrum  viride).     Page  23.     June- August. 

Wild  Orange-red  Lily  (Lilium  philadelphicum) ;  Turk's-cap 
Lily  (L.  superbum);  Wild  Yellow  Lily  (L.  canadense), 
pages  152  and  154.  Our  handsome  wild  lilies  may  be  found 
in  their  favorite  haunts  all  summer  until  August. 

{Clintonia  borealis).     Page    156.     June. 

Great  Solomon's  Seal  (Polygonatum  commutatum).  Page  156. 
June. 

Indian  Cucumber-root   (Medeola  virginiana).     Page  157. 

Blackberry  Lily   (Belamcanda  chinensis).     Page  159.     July. 

Of  the  summer  orchids  we  may  find  many,  including 

Showy  Lady's  Slipper  (Cypripedium  hirsutum).  Page  50. 
June,  July. 

{Orchis   rotundijolia) .     Page    246.     June,  July. 

Rein  Orchis  (Habenaria  jlava),  June,  July;  and  (H.  hyperborea), 
June- August.     Page    23. 

(H.  Umbriata).     Page  247.     Late  June  to  August. 

(Pogonia  ophioglossoides).     Page    303.     June,  July. 

506 


THE    FLOWER   CALENDAR 

Twayblade  (Listera  cordata),  page  304  (L.australis),  (L.  convallnri- 
oides),  page  160,  June. 

Adder's  Mouth  (Microstylis  monophyllos).    Page  24.     June,  July. 

(Liparis  liliifolia),  page  304;    (L.  Loeselii),  page  24.     June,  July. 

Crane  Fly  Orchis  (Tipularia  discolor).     Page  24.     June. 

Lizard's  Tail  (Saururus  cernuus).     Page  56.     June- August. 

Woolly  Pipe  Vine  (Aristolochia  tomentosa).     Page  450.     June. 

Sand  Spurrey  (Spergularia).  Page  253.  Several  species  are  in 
blossom  all  summer.     They  are  low  herbs  with  small  blossoms. 

Sandwort  (Arenaria  ser  pyllifolia) ,  in  June;  (A.  peploides),  page 
64,  from  June  to  August. 

Sleepy  Catchfly  (Silene  antirrhina) .    Page  254.  June-September. 

Other  species  of  Catchfly,  as  Fire  Pink  (S.  virginica),  page  256, 
and  Night-flowering  Catchfly  (S.  noctiflora),  page  68,  are 
in  bloom  until  July  or  August. 

Cow  Lily  (Nymphaea  advena).     Page  162.     June-August. 

Water  Lily  (Castalia  odorata) .     Page  68.     June-September. 

Water  Crowfoot  (Ranunculus  aquatilis).  June-August.  Sea- 
side Crowfoot  (R.  Cymbalaria).  August.  Water  Plantain 
Spearwort  (R.  laxicaulis).  August.  Cursed  Crowfoot  (R. 
sceleratus).  Bristly  Crowfoot  (R.  pennsylvanicus) .  Tall 
Buttercup  (R.  acris).     Pages  163  to  166.     June- August. 

(Anemone  virginiand) .     Page  30.     June- August. 

Wild  Monkshood  (Aconitum  ancinatum).  Page  310.  June- 
August. 

Moonseed   (Menispermum  canadense).     Page  394.     June,  July. 

American  Barberry  (Berberis  canadensis).     Page  427.     June. 

Climbing  Fumitory  (Adlumia  fungosa).  Page  451.  June- 
October. 

Common  Fumitory  (Fumaria  officinalis).  Page  260.  June- 
August. 

Wild  Peppergrass  (Lepidium  virginicum) .  Page  79.  June- 
September. 

Sickle-pod   (Arabis  canadensis).     Page  81.     June- August. 

Pitcher-plant   (Sarracenia  purpurea).     Page  311.     June. 

The  Round-leaved,  Long-leaved,  and  Thread-leaved  Sun- 
dews, three  species  of  Drosera,  pages  81,  83,  312,  are  small  bog 
plants  with  insectivorous  leaves  which  open  their  spikes  of  small 
blossoms  all  summer,  continuing  into  early  September. 

Mossy  Stonecrop  (Sedum  acre).     Page   171.     June,  July. 

Yellow  Mountain  Saxifrage  (Saxifraga  aizoidca).  Page  171. 
June-August. 

Several  species  of  Cinquefoil  (Potentilla  arguta);  (/'.  palustris), 
(P.  fruticosa);  Silver  Weed  (P.  Anserina),  pages  174  and  3  12, 
remain  in  bloom  all  summer,  and  into  September. 

Queen  of  the  VR\\m^(Filipc)idnhi  rubra).    Page  260.    June,  July. 

5<)7 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Avens  (Geum  virginianum) .     Page  87.     June- August. 

Wild  Roses  (Rosa  canina)  and  (R.  Carolina) ;  see  chapter  on 
shrubs.  Most  of  the  species  bloom  in  June  and  may  continue 
until  the  end  of  July. 

Wild  Indigo  (Baptisia  tinctoria).     Page    179.     June-September. 

Rattle-box  {Crotalaria  sagittalis) .     Page  179.     June-September. 

Dyer's  Greenweed  (Genista  tinctoria).     Page  428.     June,  July. 

Catgut  (Tephrosia  virginiana).     Page  260.     June,  July. 

(Coronilla  varia).     Page  261.     June- August. 

Tick  Trefoil  (Desmodiums),  page  314,  are  in  bloom  through 
July. 

(Stylosanthes  biflora).     Page    180.     June- August. 

Blue  Vetch  (Vicia  Cracca).     Page  452.     June- August. 

Beach  Pea  (Lathyrus  maritimus)  and  (L.  palustris).  Page  317. 
June  until  late  August  or  September. 

(Stropho styles  helvola).     Page  454.     June-September. 

Butterfly  Pea  (Clitoria  mariana).     Page  454.     June- August. 

Common  Flax  (Linum  usitatissimum) .     Page  319.     June- August. 

Violet  Wood  Sorrel  (Oxalis  violacea),  page  319,  and  Common 
Wood  Sorrel  (O.  Acetosella) ,  page  89.     June,  July. 

Herb  Robert  (Geranium  Robertianum) .  Page  261.  June- 
October. 

Shrubby  Trefoil  (Ptelea  trifoliata).     Page  401.     June. 

The  Milkworts  (Polygala  sanguined),  page  264;  (P.  Nuttallii), 
page  319;   and  (P.  cruciata),  page  320.     June,  July. 

Of  the  Sumachs,  both  harmless  and  venomous,  the  species 
(Rhus  typhina),  (R.  glabra),  (R.  Vernix),  (R.  Toxicodendron) , 
pages  385  to  389,  are  in  bloom  in  June  and  July. 

Inkberry  (Ilex  glabra).  American  Holly  (7.  opaca),  and  other 
species.     Pages  402,  403,  and  495.     June. 

Burning  Bush  (Evonymus  atropurpureus).  Strawberry  Bush 
(E.  americanus).     Page  456.     June. 

Climbing  Bitter-sweet  (Celastrus  scandens).     Page  389.     June. 

Spotted  Touch-me-not  (Impatiens  biflora).  Page  185.  June- 
September. 

Buckthorn  (Rhamnus  alnifolia).     Page  390.     June. 

(Cissus  Ampelopsis).     Page  391.     June. 

Common  St.  John's-wort  (Hypericum  perforatum).     Page  186. 

F rostw eed  (Helianthemumcanadense).    Page  192.    June-August. 

Prickly  Pear  (Opuntia  vulgaris) .     Page  194.     June,  July. 

Spiked  Loosestrife  (Lythrum  Salicaria).  Page  269.  June- 
September. 

Purple  Loosestrife  (L.  hyssopifolia) .     Page  323.     June- August. 

The  unimportant  herbs,  Seedbox,  of  the  genus  Ludvigia,  as  L. 
alternifolia,  L.  hirtella,  and  others  described  on  pages  35,  195, 
271,  are  summer  and  early  autumn  bloomers. 

508 


THE   FLOWER   CALENDAR 

Sundrops  (Oenothera  jruticosa).  .  Page  195.     June-September. 

Enchanter's  Nightshade  (Circaea  lutetiana).  Page  98.  June- 
August. 

Hercules  Club  (Aralia  spinosa).     Page  408.     June,  July. 

Mock  Bishop's-weed  (Ptilimnium  capillaceum).  Page  102. 
June-October. 

Fool's  Parsley  (Aethusa  Cynapium).     Page  106.     June-August. 

Bunchberry  (Cornus  canadensis) ;  Round-leaved  Cornel  (C. 
circinata),  (C.  paniculata),  pages  405,  406.     June,  July. 

Kinnikinnik  (C.  Amomum).     Page  406.     June. 

Spotted  Wintergreen  (Chimaphila  maculata).  Page  274.  June, 
July. 

One-flowered   Pyrola   (Moneses  uniflora).     Page    108.     June, 

July. 

Shin  Leaf  (Pyrola  elliptica)  and  (P.  americana)  are  two  pretty 
plants  of  our  woods,  in  bloom  from  June  to  late  July.     Page  no. 

Corpse  Plant  (Monotropa  uniflora).  Page  no.  June-August. 
False  Beech  Drops  (M.  Hypopitys).  Page  276.  June- 
October.  These  are  two  common  parasitic  plants  found  in 
pine  and  other  woods. 

Clammy  Azalia  (Rhododendron  viscosum).     Page  411.     July. 

Great  Laurel  (R.  maximum).     Page  411.     June,  July. 

Sheep  Laurel  (Kalmia  angustifolia) .     Page  442.     June,  July. 

Male  Berry  (Lyonia  ligustrina).     Page  413.     June,  July. 

(Galax  aphylla).     Page  491.     June. 

Brook-weed  (Samolus  floribundus) .    Page  116.    June-September. 

Loosestrife  (Lysimachia  quadrifolia) .     Page  198.     June,  July. 

(L.  terrestris).     Page  198.     June-August. 

(Steironema  ciliatum).      Page  200.     June-August. 

Sea  Milkwort  (Glaux  maritima).     Page  278.     June,  July. 

Common  Pimpernel  (Anagallis  arvensis).  Page  278.  June- 
August. 

Spreading  Dogbane  (Apocynum  androsaemifoliutn).  Page  446. 
June-August. 

Indian  Hemp  (A.  cannabium).     Page  418.     June-August. 

Many  species  of  Milkweeds  may  be  found  along  the  highways 
and  in  woods;  especially  Butterfly- weed  (Asclepias  tiiberosa). 
Page  200.  June- August.  Purple  Milkweed  (A.purpurascens). 
Page328.  June,  July.  Common  Milkweed  (A.  syriaca).  Page 
284.  June-August.  (A.  amplexieaidis).  Page  328.  June,  July. 
Poke  Milkweed  (A.  phytolaccoidcs).     Page  36.     June-August. 

Hedge  Bindweed  (Convolvulus  septum).  Page  419-  June- 
September. 

Field  Bindweed  (C  arvensis).     Page  419.     June-August. 

Dodder  (Cuscuta).  Page  432.  The  different  species  flourish 
through  the  summer. 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Wild  Sweet  William  (Phlox  maculata).  Page  284.  June- 
September. 

Beggar's  Lice  (Lappula  virginiana).     Page  330.     June- August. 

Viper's  Bugloss  (Echium  vulgare).     Page  331.     June-September. 

White  Vervain  (Verbena  urticae folia) .     Page  120.     June-August. 

Skullcap  (Scutellaria  galericulata).     Page  335.     June- August. 

Horehound  (Marrubium  vulgare).     Page  120.      June- August. 

Giant  Hyssop  (Agastache  nepetoides) .     Page  202.     June- August. 

Self-heal  (Prunella  vulgaris).     Page  337.     June-September. 

False  Dragon  Head  (Physostegia  virginiana).  Page  287.  June- 
September. 

Common  Hemp  Nettle  (Galeopsis  Tetrahit).  Page  337.  June- 
September. 

Motherwort  (Leonurus  Cardiaca).     Page  339. 

(L.  Marrubia  strum).      Page  121. 

(L.  sibiricus).     Page  339.     June-September. 

(Belphilia  ciliala)  and  (B.  hirsuta),  page  341,  bloom  through 
August. 

American  Pennyroyal  (Hcdcoma  pulegioidcs).  Page  340. 
June- August. 

Most  of  the  Mints,  as  Peppermint,  Spearmint,  etc.  (Mentha),  are 
in  bloom  all  summer  until  the  middle  or  last  of  August . 

Bittersweet  (Solanum  Dulcamara).  Page  456.  June-Sep- 
tember. 

Black  Henbane  (Hyoscyamus  uiger).     Page  203.     June,  July. 

Toadflax  (Linaria  vulgaris).      Page  204.      June-August. 

Two  species  of  Monkey  Flower  (Mimulus  ringens)  and  (M. 
alatus),  pages  347  and  348,  bloom  until  September. 

Hedge  Hyssop  (Gratiola  virginiana).     Page  127.     June- August. 

Water  Speedwell  (Veronica  Anagallis-aquatica)  and  American 
Brookline  (V.  americana),  page  348,  bloom  through  August. 

Scarlet  Painted  Cup  (Castilleia  coccinea).     Page  291.     June. 

Cow  Wheat  (Melampyrum  lineare).    Page  208.    June-September. 

Bedstraw  (Galium).     Page  128.     In  flower  all  summer. 

Partridge  Berry  (Mitchella  repens).     Page  129.     June,  July. 

Bush  Honeysuckle  (Diervilla  Lonicera).  Page  435.  June- 
August. 

Snowberry  (Symphoricar  pus  racemosus).    Page  421.    June,  July. 

Twin-flower  (Linnaea  borealis).     Page  292.     June- August. 

Cranberry  Tree  (Viburnum  Opulus),  and  Arrow- wood  (V. 
dentatum),  pages  421,  422,  are  shrubs  blooming  in  June  and 
July- 

Elderberry  (Sambucus  canadensis) .     Page  423.      June,  July. 

Daisy  Fleabane  (Erigcron  ramosus).     Page  138.     June-October. 

White-topped  Aster  (Seriocarpus  astcroides).  Page  140.  June- 
August. 

5io 


THE    FLOWER   CALENDAR 

Salt  Marsh  Fleabane  (Pluchea  camphorata).  Page  296.  June- 
August. 

(Tetragonothcca   heliantlioides) .      Page  226.     June. 

Black-eyed  Susan  (Rudbcckia  hiria).  Page  226.  June- 
September. 

(Lepachys  pinnata).      Page  228.     July. 

Ox-eye  Daisy  (Chrysanthemum  Lcucanthcmum) .  Page  144. 
June-August. 

Musk  Thistle  (Carduus  nutans).     Page  366.     June-October. 

Yellow  Thistle  (Cirsium  spinosissimum) .  Page  236.  June- 
August. 

(Ccntaurea  Jacca).     Page  368.     June-September. 

Orange  Hawkweed  (Hieracium  aurantiacum) .  Page  239.  June, 
July. 

July  to  August,  and  Later 

Some  orchids,  wild  roses,  heaths,  wild  peas  and  beans,  St. 
John's-worts,  and  mints  come  into  bloom  first  in  July.  The  array 
of  fall  flowers  begins  toward  the  last  of  this  month,  all  plants,  as 
a  rule,  exhibiting  brighter  colors,  with  heavier  stems  and  foliage, 
than  the  earlier  season's  bloom.  The  following  flowers  ap] 
in  July,  many  of  them  keeping  in  bloom  one,  two,  or  three  month:, 
later : 

Star  Grass  (Aletris  farinosa).     Page  50.     July,  August. 

Red-root  (Lacnanthes  tinctoria).     Page  157.     July— September. 

Fringed  Orchis  (Habcnaria  obtusata).  Page  23.  (//.  psycoides). 
Page  246.  Yellow  Fringed  Orchis  (H '.  ciliaris) .  Page  162. 
White  Fringed  Orchis  (//.  blephari glottis).  Page  52.  Ragged 
Fringed  Orchis  (//.  lacera).  Page  24.  Several  of  the  fringe! 
orchids  are  late,  blossoming  in  July  and  August.  These  are 
among  the  most  interesting  of  the  summer's  flowers. 

(Calopogon  pulchcllus) .     Page  250.     July. 

Ladies'  Tresses  (Spiranlhcs  gracilis).    Page  52.    July-September. 

Rattlesnake  Plantain  {Epipactis  repens).  Page  54.  July- 
September.     (E.  decipiens).     Page  56.     Jul)-,  August. 

Coral  Root  (Corallorhizui  metadata).      Page 304.     July,  August. 

Adder's  Mouth  {Microstylis  unifolia).     Page  ^4-     July,  August. 

Common  Hop  (Hamulus  Lupnlits).     Page  383.     July. 

Virginia  Snakeroot  (Aristolochia  Scrpcntaria).  Page  ^05. 
July- 

Pokeweed  {Phytolacca  decandra).     Page  60.     July-September. 

Sea  Purslane  (Scsuvium  maritimum).     Page  307.    July,  August. 

Corn  Cockle  (Agrostcmma  Gitkago).     Page  254.     July. 

Moss  Campion  (Silcnc  acaulis).     Page  307.     July. 
33  Mi 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Bouncing    Bet    (Saponaria    officinalis).     Page   256.     July-Sep- 
tember. 
Deptford  Pink  (Dianthus  Armeria).     Page  256.     July. 
Tall  Meadow  Rue  (Thalictrum  polygamum).     Page  69.     July- 
September. 
Virgin's     Bower     (Clematis    virginiana).       Page     392.       July, 

August. 
Tall  Larkspur  (Delphinium  exaltatum).     Page  310.     July. 
Black  Snakeroot  (Cimicifuga  racemosa).     Page  73.     July. 
Sea  Rocket  (Cakile  edentula).     Page  310.     July-September. 
Wormseed    Mustard    (Erysimum    chciranthoides).      Page    170. 

July,  August. 
Ditch  Stonecrop  (Penthorumsedoides).     Page  31.    July-October. 
(Tillaea  aquatica).     Page  31.     July-September. 
Hardhack  (Spiraea  tomentosd).     Page  437.     July-September. 
Yellow  Avens  (Gcum  strictum).     Page  174.     July,  August. 
Climbing  Rose  (Rosa  setigera).     Page  440.     July. 
Wild  Senna  (Cassia  marilandica) ;   Partridge  Pea  (C.  Chamae- 
crista);  Wild  Sensitive  Plant  (C.  nictitans).    Page  177.    May 
be  found  in  flower  until  September. 
(Lespedeza  violacea).     Page  316.     July-September. 
Wild  Bean  (Apios  tuberosa).     Page  453.     July-September. 
Kidney     Bean     (Phaseolus    polystachyus) .      Page     453.      July- 
September. 
Milk  Pea  (Galaciia  regularis).     Page  317.     July,  August. 
Three-seeded  Mercury  (Acalypha  virginica).     Page  33.     July- 
September. 
Flowering    Spurge    (Euplwrbia    corollata).      Page    92.      July- 
October. 
Dwarf  Sumach  (Rhus  copallina).     Page  389.     July. 
Touch-me-not    (Impatiens    pallida).      Page    183.      July -Sep- 
tember. 
New  Jersey  Tea  (Ceanothus  amcricanus).     Page  404.     July. 
Swamp  Rose  Mallow  (Hibiscus  Moscheutos).     Page  265.     July- 
September. 
White    Hibiscus    (H.    oculiroseus) .      Page    94.      July-Septem- 
ber. 
St.  Peter' s-wort  (Ascyrum  stans).     Page  185.     July,  August. 
St.  Andrew's   Cross  (A.  hypericoides).     Page    186.     July-Sep- 
tember. 
Shrubby    St.   John's-wort    (Hypericum  prolificum),   page   430, 
July-September;  and  the  species  (H.  adpressum),  (H.  mutilum), 
(H.   punctatum),    (H.  virgatum),    (H.   canadense),   pages  186  to 
190,  are  late  summer  flowers. 
Meadow    Beauty    (Rhexia   virginica),    (R.  mariana),  page   271, 
may  be  found  in  bloom  from  July  to  September. 

512 


THE    FLOWER   CALENDAR 

The  Fireweeds  (Epilobinm  angustifolium) ,  July,  August.  (E. 
molle),  (E.  denswn),  (E.  coloratum),  pages  271  to  27,3.  July- 
September. 

Spikenard   (A.  racenwsa).     Page  98.     July. 

Ginseng  (Panax  quinquefolium) .     Page  98.     July. 

(Berula  erecta).     Page  104.     July,  August. 

The  fragrant  Clethras  (Clethra  alnifolia)  and  (C.  acuminata), 
page  408,  bloom  through  August  into  September. 

Prince's  Pine  (Chimaphila  umbellata).     Page  274.    July,  August. 

Checkerberry  (Gaultheria  procumbens).  Page  112.  July, 
August. 

Marsh  Rosemary  (Limonium  carolinianum) .  Page  324.  July- 
September. 

Floating  Heart  (Nymplioides  lacunosum).  Page  118.  July- 
September. 

(Asclepias  lanceolata),  (A.  rubra),  July.  Swamp  Milkweed  (A. 
incarnata).     Page  284.     July,  August. 

(A.  verticillata) .     Page  118.     July. 

Cypress  Vine  {Ipomoea  Quamoclit).     Page  446.     July-October. 

Morning  Glory  (7.  hederacea).     Page  448.     July-September. 

American  Germander  (Teucrium  canadense).  Page  287.  July- 
September. 

False  Pennyroyal  (Isanthus  brachiatus).  Page  333.  July, 
August. 

Mad-dog  Skullcap  {Scutellaria  lateriflora).  Page  333.  July- 
September. 

Hedge  Nettle  (Stachys  hyssopifolia) .  Page  339.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

(S.  tenuifolia,  var.  aspera).     Page  340.     July,  August. 

Horse  Mint  (Monarda  punctata).     Page  202.     July-September. 

Wild  Bergamot  (M.  fistulosa).     Page  121.     July,  August. 

Mountain  Mints  of  the  genus  Pycnantliemum,  (P.  flexuosum) , 
(P.  virginianum),  (P.  Torrei),  (P.  incanum),  (P.  niuticum), 
page  342,  are  in  bloom  until  September. 

Water  Horehound  (Lycopus  sessilifolius) .     Page  123. 

(L.  americanus).     Page  123.     July-September. 

Bugle  Weed  (L.  virginicus).     Page  121.     July,  August. 

Horse  Balm  {Collinsonia  canadensis).  Page  202.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

Common  Nightshade  (Solanum  nigrum).  Page  133.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

Snapdragon  {Antirrhinum  Orontium).  Page  125.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

Figwort  (Scrophulariamarilandiea).    Page  347.    July-September. 

Snakehead  (Cltelone  glabra).      Page  125.     July-September. 

Culver's  Root  {Veronica  virginica).     Page   127.     July,  August 

5i3 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 

Gerardia   (Gerardia  pedicularia) .     Page  206.     July-October. 

Lopseed  {Phryma  Leptostachya).     Page  291.     July,  August. 

Buttonbush  (C V phalanthus  occidentalis) .   Page  420.  July,  August. 

Hairy  Honeysuckle  (Lonicera  hirsuta).     Page  436.     July. 

Wild  Balsam  -  apple  {Echinocystis  lobata).  Page  424.  July- 
October. 

One-seeded  Bur  Cucumber  (Sicyos  angulatus).  Page  423. 
July-September. 

Bellflower  (Campanula  ranunculoides) .  Harebell  (C.  rotundi- 
jolia).     Page  353.     July,  August. 

Cardinal-flower  (Lobelia  cardinalis).  Page  292.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

Great  Lobelia  (L.  siphilitica) ,  (L.  spicata),  (L.  Canbyi).  Page 
355-     July-October. 

Indian  Tobacco  (L.  inflata).     Page  353.     July-October. 

Water  Lobelia  (L.  Dortmanna).     Page  355.     July-October. 

Climbing  Hempweed  (Mikania  scandens).  Page  448.  July- 
September. 

Golden  Aster  (Chrysopsis  falcata).    Page  210.    July-September. 

Golden-rod  (Solidago  bicolor).  Page  134.  July  to  late  August 
or  October. 

(S.  hispida).     Page  214.     July-early  September. 

Sweet  Golden-rod  (5.  odora).     Page  216.     July-September. 

(S.  nemoralis).     Page  218.     July-November. 

(S.  canadensis) .     Page  218.     July-September. 

(S.  serotina).     Page  220.     July-September. 

Aster  (A.  radula).     Page  357.     July-September. 

(A.  novi-belgii) .     Page  362.     Late  July  to  October. 

(A.  nemoralis).     Page  140.     July-September. 

Horse-weed  (Erigeron  canadensis).     Page   140.     July-October. 

Pearly  Everlasting  (Anaphalis  margaritacea) .  Page  140. 
July,  August. 

Four  species  of  Cudweed  (Gnaphalium  polycephalum),  (G.  decur- 
rens),  (G.  uliginosum),  (G.  purpureum),  pages  142  and  143, 
bloom  until  October  or  November. 

Highwater-shrub   (Iva  oraria).     Page  424.     July-October. 

Cone-flower  (Rudbeckia  laciniata).    Page  226.    July-September. 

Tickseed  (Coreopsis  rosea).     Page  286.     July-September. 

Fireweed  (Erechtites  hieracifolia) .     Page  144.     July-September. 

Common  Groundsel  (Senecio  vulgaris).  Page  235.  July-Sep- 
tember. 

Bull  Thistle  (Cirsium  lanceolatum) .    Page  366.   July-November. 

Scotch  Thistle  (Onor podium  Acanthium).  Page  369.  July- 
September. 

Bachelor's  Button  (Centaurea  Cyanus).  Page  368.  July- 
September. 

514 


THE    FLOWER    CALENDAR 

Spanish  Buttons  (C.  nigra).     Page  368.     July-September. 

Chicory  (dehor  ium  Intybus).     Page  369.     July-October. 

Wild  Lettuce  (Lactuca  canadensis).     Page  239. 

(L.  villosa).     Page  370.     July-October. 

White  Lettuce  (Prenanthcs  alba).     Page  146.     July-October. 

(P.  aUissima).     Page  146.     July-October. 

Of  the  Hawkweeds  the  species  (Hieracium   paniculatum),    (If. 

scabrum),    and    (H.   canadense),    page   240,    may    bloom    until 

October. 

August,  September,  and  Later 

A  few  late  orchids,  herbs,  and  shrubs  come  first  into  bloom  in 
August,  most  of  them  continuing  through  the  fall.  The  com- 
posites are  now  in  their  glory,  and  golden-rods,  asters,  thistles, 
eupatoriums,  and  other  members  of  that  aggressive  family  fill  the 
fields  and  roadsides  with  splendid  color.  The  colors  of  fall  flowers 
are  strong  and  deep,  yellows  and  purples  predominating.  Golden- 
rods  already  mentioned  as  late  July  bloomers  belong  rather  to  this 
month,  as  do  many  of  the  asters.  Before  withdrawing  itself  for  its 
winter  sleep,  nature  makes  one  last  effort  to  be  gay  and  beautiful. 

Water  Plantain  {Alisma  Plantago-aquatica) .     Page  40.     August, 

September. 
(Pogonia  triantJwpliora).      Page  248.     August. 
Ladies'  Tresses  (Spiranthes  Beckii).     Page  52. 
(S.  praecox).     Page  54.     August,  September. 
Rattlesnake  Plantain  (Epipactis  pubescens).    Page  54.   August, 

September. 
Coral    Root     (Corallorhiza    odontorhiza) .     Page    303.     August, 

September. 
(Polygonella  articulata).     Page  58.     August,   September. 
Garden     Orpine     (Sedum     purpurcum).     Page     312.     August, 

September. 
Grass  of  Parnassus  (Pamassia  caroliniana).     Page  85.     August, 

September. 
Witch-hazel      (Hamamelis     virginia)ia).      Page     428.     August, 

September. 
Canadian  Burnet  (Sanguisorba  canadensis) .     Page  87.      August, 

September. 
Bush  Clover  (Lespedeza  procumbens).     Page  315.     Late  August, 

September. 
Hog     Peanut      (Amphicarpa     monoica).     Page     454.     August, 

September. 
Marsh   Mallow  (Althaea  officinalis).     Page  265.     August,  Sep- 
tember. 
(Kostcletzkya  virginica).      Page  267.      August. 

515 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 

Scotch  Lovage   (Ligusticum  scothicum).     Page  106.     August. 

Cowbane  {Oxypolis  rigidior).     Page  106.     August. 

The  pretty  Sabatias  {Sabatia  stellaris),  (5.  gracilis),  (5.  dodecan- 
dra),  page  280,  may  be  looked  for  in  August. 

Lousewort    (Pedicularis  lanceolata).     Page  208.     August,    Sep- 
tember. 
Trumpet-flower  (Tecoma  radicans).     Page  433.     August,  Sep- 
tember. 
Ironweed  (Vernonia  noveboracensis).     Page  355.     August,  Sep- 
tember. 
Joe  Pye  Weed   (Eupatorium  purpureum).     Page  294.     August, 
September.      (E.  leucolepsis) ,  (E.hypssoifolium),  (£.  verbenae fo- 
lium).    Upland  Boneset  (E.  sessilifoiium).     Thoroughwort 
(E.  perfoliatum).      Pages    130    and    132.     Most   of   this    genus 
begin  in  August  and  continue  until  October. 

Blazing    Star    (Liatris   scariosa)    and    (L.   spicata).     Page   357. 
August-October. 

Golden     Aster     (Chrysopsis     mariana).     Page    210.     August- 
October. 

Golden-rod  (Solidago  squarrosa),  (S.caesia),  (5.  latifolia).     Page 
214.     These  species  August,  September. 

(5.   bicolor).     Page   134.     August-October. 

(5.  puberula).     Page  216.      August-October. 

(5.  sempervirens) .     Page  222.     August-November. 

(S.   patula).     Page  220.     August,   September. 

(S.  arguta).     Page  222.     August,  September. 

(5.  neglecta).     Page  222.     August-early  October. 

(5.  ulmifolia).     Page  216.     August,  September. 

(S.  rugosa).     Page  216.     August,  September. 

(S.  graminifolia) .     Page  222.     August-October. 

(S.  tenuifolia).     Page  222.     August-October. 

Aster  (Aster  macro phyllus).     Page  134.     August,  September. 

(,4.  spectabilis).     Page  357.     August-October. 

(A.  concolor).     Page  359.     Late  August-November. 

(,4.  patens).     Page  359.     August-October. 

(A.  undulatus).     Page  359.     August-November. 

(A.  cordifolius) .     Page  360.     August — October. 

(A.  laevis).     Page  360.     August-October. 

{A.  ericoides).     Page  134.     August-October. 

(A.  multiflorus) .     Page  136.     August-October. 

(A.  dumosus).     Page  360.     August,  September. 

(A.  lateriflora).     Page  136.     August-October. 

(A.  Tradescanti) .     Page  136.     August-October. 

(A.  paniculatus) .     Page  136.     August-October. 

(A.  prenanthoides).     Page  364.     August-October. 

{A.  puniceus).     Page  364.     August-October. 

5i6 


THE    FLOWER    CALENDAR 

(A.  umbellatus).     Page  138.     August,  September. 

(A.  tenuifolius).     Page  362.     Augusl   October. 

{A.  subulatus).     Page  362.      Early  Augusl   October. 

Elecampane  (Inula  Heleniutn).     Page  224.     August,  September. 

Ox-eye  (Heliopsis  helianthoides) .     Page  224.     August. 

Sunflower  (Helianthus  angustifolius) .  Page  228.  August, 
September. 

(H.  giganteus).     Page  228.     August-October. 

(H.  divaricatus) .      Page  230.     August,  September. 

(H.  decapetalus) .     Page  230.     August-October. 

(Actinomeris  alternifolia).     Page  230.     August,  September. 

Beggar-ticks  (Bide  us  frondosa) .     Page  230.     August,  September. 

(B.  laevis).     Page  232.     August-October. 

Spanish  Needles  (B.  bipinnata).     Page  232.     August. 

Tall  Tickseed  Sunflower  (B.  trickospernta).  Page  234. 
August-October. 

Water  Marigold  (B.  Beckii).     Page  234.     August-October. 

Autumn  SneezeweeD  (Helenium  autumnale) .  Page  234.  August- 
October. 

Hawkweed  (Hieracium  Gronovii).     Page  240.     August-October. 

September,  October,  and  November 

September  is  the  month  in  which  to  study  fruits.  Many  flowers 
of  spring  and  summer  now  display  conspicuous  red,  blue,  or  black 
berries,  in  bunches  or  singly,  which  mingle  harmoniously  with  the 
autumn  flowers.     A  few  plants  flower  first  in  September. 

Cat-tail  Flag  (Typha  latifolia),  (T.  august ijolia) .     Page  375. 

(SpirantJies  cernua).     Page  54.     September,  October. 

Closed  Gentian  (Gentiana  Andreivsii).     Page  326.     September, 

Fringed  Gentian   (G.  crinita).     Page  324.     September. 

(Kuhnia  eupatoroides) .     Page  132.     September. 

Golden-rod  (Solidago  stricta).  Page  218.  September-Novem- 
ber. 

(5.  speciosa).     Page  216.     September,  October. 

(5.  Elliottii).     Page  220.     September,  October. 

(Bidens  connata).     Page  232.     September,  October. 

Lion's-foot  {Preuantlus  serpentaria) .  Page  140.  September, 
October. 


INDEX 


nonmr  U»*AKY 
(i.  C  State  CMege 


Abutilon  Theophrasti,  185,  480. 
Acacia,  Rose  440,  484. 
Acalypha  virginica,  33,  476,  512. 
Achillea  millefolium,   143,  478. 
Aconitum    uncinatum,    310,    458, 

507. 
Acorus  Calamus,  22,  457. 
Actaea  alba,  73,  495,  500. 

rubra,  73,  495,  500. 
Actinomeris  alternifolia,  230,  473, 

517- 
Adam-and-Evc,  372,  494,  503. 
Adder's    Mouth,    24,    248,    462, 

507,  511 

Green  24,  462. 
Adder's-tongue,  Yellow  154,  471. 
Adelia  acuminata,  431,  459. 
Adlumia  fungosa,  451,  483,  507. 
Aethusa  Cynapium,  106,  476,  509. 
Agastache    nepetoides,    202,    491, 
510. 

scrophulariaefolia,  337,  491. 
Agrimonia  gyrosepala,  176,  489. 

mollis,  176,  489. 

parviflora,  176,  458. 

rostellata,  176,  489. 

striata,   176. 
Agrimony,  176,  458,  489. 
Agrostemma    Githago,    254,    483, 

Ague  Weed,  326. 

Alder,  Black  401,  472,  504. 

Green  382,  488. 

Hoary  382,  462. 

Mountain  382,  488. 

Smooth  381,  466. 

Speckled  382,  402. 

White  408,  490. 
Alder-leaved  Clethra,  408. 
Aletris  farinosa,  50,  487,  511. 

51 


Alexanders,  Golden  198,  490,  504. 

Alfalfa,  313,  4.S4. 

Alisma     Plantago  -  aquatica,    40, 

457.    515. 
Allium  canadense,  4<>,  471. 

tricoccum,  46,  494. 

vineale,  23,  2<>.s,  471. 
Allspice,  Carolina  451,  489. 

Wild  427,  472,  499. 
Alnus,  500. 

crispa,  382,  488. 

incana,  382,  402. 

rugosa,  3X1,  4(>(). 
Alpine  Bearberry,  41s,  491. 
Althaea,  484. 

officinalis,  265,  407,  515. 
Alum  Root,  Common  33,    (.89. 
Amaranth,  Green  29,  4S3. 

Thorny  29,  483. 
Amaranthus  graecizans,  30,  483. 

retroflexus,  29,  483. 

spinosus,  29,  483. 
Ambrosia  artenrsiifolia,   36,   485. 

trifida,  37,  477,  485." 
Amelanchier  canadensis  VC  489, 
504. 

oblongifoha,  397,  489,  504L 

oligoearpa,  397,  4s.,,  504. 
American  Barberry,  427,  489. 

Bladder  Xut,  403,  4^5.  504. 

Brookline,  34S,  460,  510. 

Cowslip,  278,  4<>t>.  505. 

Cranberry,    Large   270,    465. 

Fly  Honeysuckle,  436,  501. 

Germander,  287,  473,  513- 

Holly,  495,  50 v 

Honeysuckle,  44s. 

Mistletoe,  425.  498. 

Pennyroyal,  340,  4>so,  510. 

Rose-bay,  411. 

Woodbine,  44S,  4H5,  505. 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Amianthium  muscaetoxicum,   44, 

487,  507- 
Ampelopsis,  391. 
Amphicarpa    monoica,    454,  495, 

515- 
Anagallis  arvensis,  278,  476,  509. 
Anaphalis  margaritacea,  140,  514. 
Andromeda     glaucophylla,     412, 

464,  505- 

Privet  413. 

Water  412. 
Anemone  canadensis,  458. 

cylindrica,  71,  488,  503. 

quinquefolia,  71,  488,  500. 

riparia,  71. 

Rue  69,  488,  503. 

virginiana,  30,  488,  507. 

Wood  71,  488,  500. 
Anemonella  thalictroides,  69,  488, 

503- 
Angelica  atropurpurea,  108,  459. 

Great   108,  459. 

Tree,  408,  459. 
Annuals,   16. 
Antennaria    plantaginifolia,     140, 

477,   502. 
Anthemis  Cotula,   143,  478. 
Antirrhinum  majus,  125,  346,  374. 

Orontium,  125,  346,  477,  513. 
Anychia  polygonoides.  60,  488. 
Apios  tuberosa,  453,  490,  512. 
Aplectrum  hyemale,  372,  494,  503. 
Apocynum  androsaemifolium,  446, 

'  509- 

cannabium,  418,  459,  509. 
Appalachian  Tea,  422. 
Ap#l&  May  74. 

Thorn   124. 
Aquilegia    canadensis,    372,    489, 

500. 
Arabis  canadensis,  81,  489,  507. 

glabra,  81,  475,  503. 

hirsuta,  81,  489,  503. 

laevigata,  81,  489,  503. 

lyrata,  81,  475,  501. 
Aralia  nudicaulis,  98,  496,  504. 

racemosa,  98,  496,  512. 

spinosa,  408,  459,  509. 
Arbutus,  Trailing   no,  276,  491, 

501. 
Arceuthobium  pusillum,  426,  498. 
Arctium  Lappa,  366,  478. 


Arctostaphylos  alpina,  415,  491. 

Uva-ursi,  413,  491,  505. 
Arenaria     caroliniana,     62,     467, 

503- 

lateriflora,  64,  467,  503. 

peploides,  64,  467,  507. 

serpyllifolia,  64,  479,  507. 
Arethusa,  250,  462,  503. 

bulbosa,  250,  462,  503. 
Arisaema     triphyllum,     20,     371, 
494. 

Dracontium,  20,  494. 
Aristolochia     macrophylla,     448, 
495,  503- 

Serpentaria,  305,  495,  511. 

tomentosa,  450,  495,  507. 
Arrow  Arum,  Green  21,  469. 

Grass,  20,  461,  502. 
Arrow-head,  40,  457,  502. 
Arrow  -  leaved    Tear  -  thumb,    58, 
471. 

Violet,  321,  472. 
Arrow-wood,  422,  465,  492,  510. 

Downy  422,  492. 
Artemisia  Absinthium,   235,  478. 
Arum,  Dragon  371. 

Green  Arrow  21,  469. 

Water  42,   461. 
Aruncus  Sylvester,  86,  495. 
Asarabacca,  305. 
Asarum  canadcnse,  305,  495,  500. 
Asclepias  amplexieaulis,  328,  476, 

509- 

incarnata,  282,  465,  513. 

lanceolata,  284,  467,  513. 

phytolaccoides,  36,  509. 

purpurascens,  328,  476,  509. 

quadrifolia,  284,  491,  505. 

rubra,  284,  467,  513. 

syriaca,   284,   328,   373,    5°9- 

tuberosa,  200,  476,  509. 

variegata,  374. 

verticillata,  118,  491,  51 3- 
Ascyrum  hypericoides,    186,   490, 
512. 

stans,  185,  490,  512. 
Asiatic  Day-flower,  299. 
Asphodel,  Bog  149,  461,  506. 
Aster,  134,  492,  5i4- 

acuminatus,  138. 

Bog  362,  465. 

Bushy  360,  477. 


520 


INDEX 


Aster. — Continued. 
Calico   i  v>,    }77- 
concolor,  359,  477,  516. 
cordifolius,  3601  516. 
Crooked-stem  304,  4<>(>. 
Dense-flowered  i.v>,  477- 
dumosus,  ,V><>,  477,  516. 
ericoides,   [34,  477.   N-\  3">- 
Golden  210,  514,  516. 
gracilis,  364. 
Heart-leaved  360. 
junceus,  360,  473. 
laevis,  360,  477,  516. 
Lair  Purple  359,  477- 
lateriflorus,  136,  477,  516. 
Low  Rough  357,  465. 
macrophyllus,   134,  492,  516. 
Maryland  Golden  2IO. 
Mountain    138. 
multifiorus,  136,  477,  516. 
nemoralis,  362,  46s,  514. 
New  England  359,  473. 
New  York  362,  468,  477. 
novae-angliae,  359,  473. 
novi  -  belgii,    362,    468,    477, 

514- 
Paniclcd  136,  473. 
paniculatus,  136,  473,  516. 
patens,  359,  477,  516. 
prenanthoides,  364,  460,  516. 
puniceus,  364,  465,  516. 
Purple-stem  364,  465. 
radula,  357,  465,  514. 
Rush  360,  473. 
Salt  Marsh  362,  468. 
Showy  357.  477- 
Slender  364. 
Smooth  360,  477. 
spectabilis,  357,  477,  516. 
subulatus,  302,  408,  517. 
tenuifolius,  ;->(>2,  468,  517. 
Tradescanti,  136,  473,  517. 
Tuber  364. 

umbellatus,  [38,  49*),  517. 
Umbelled  138,  496. 
undulatus.  359,  492,  516. 
Wavy-leal  359. 
White  Heath   134,  477,  492. 
Whorled   138. 
Wood,  Common  Blue  300. 
White-topped    1  |o,  481,  492, 

510. 


Astilbe  biternata,  171,  489. 
Atriplex  arenaria,  28,  466. 

patula,  28,  466- 

Sea  Beach  28,  466. 
Autumn  Sneezeweed,  2.;},  400. 
Avens,  87,  472,  308, 

Purple  312,  463,  472. 

Water  312,   463. 

White  87,  495. 

Yellow  174,  472,  512. 
Azalea,  Clammy  411,  404,   509. 

Purple  441,  404. 


B 


Baccharis  halimifolia,  425,  468. 

Bachelor's  Button,  j68,  486,  514 
Wild   [83. 

Bacopa  Monniera,  347,  460. 

Halm,  Bee  289,   too- 
Horse  202,  490,  513. 

Balmony,  125. 

Balsam,   183. 

Balsam-apple,     Wild     424,    41.0, 

5i4- 
Bancberrv,  Red  73,  495,  500. 

White  73,  495,  500. 
Baptisia  tinctoria;  179,  489,  508. 
Barbarea  vulgaris,   171,  472. 
Barberry,     American     427,     489, 
507. 

Common  426,  475.  503. 
Basil,  341,  342,  492. 
Bastard  Pennyroyal,  333,  477. 

Toad-flax,  503. 

Bay,  Loblolly  404,  41.3. 

Sweet    503. 

Tan  404. 
Barberry,  379,  466. 
Beach  Golden-rod,  222,  4(17. 

1  leather,  430,  504. 

Pea,  317,  467,  508. 

Blum,  400,  4<>7,  504. 
Beaked  Hazelnut,  380,  474. 
Bean,  Kidney  453,  467,  si 2. 

Pink  Wild  454. 

Sacred  [63,  401). 

Trailing  Wild  454. 

Vine,  453. 

Wild  453,  190,  512. 
Bearberry,  413,   191, 

Alpine  415,  491. 
521 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


Beard-tongue,  347,  477,  505- 
Bear  Oak,  382,  479. 
Beauty,  Meadow  271. 

Spring  258,  488. 
Bedstraw,    510. 

Hairy  351,  492. 

Marsh  128,  473. 

Northern  128,  460. 

Rough  129,  492. 

Small  128,  465. 

Sweet-scented  36,  128,  492. 
Bee  Balm,  289,  460. 
Beech-drops,  351,  498. 

False  276,  498,  509. 
Beggar's  Lice,  330,  510. 
Beggar-ticks,  230,  473,  517. 

Swamp  232,  465. 
Belamcanda  chinensis,    159,   374 

474,   506. 
Bellflower,  353,  480,  514. 

Marsh  353,  473. 
Bell  wort,  150,  494,  500. 

Large-flowered  150,  494. 

Mountain  150,  461. 
Benjamin  Bush,  427,  495. 
Benzoin  aestivale,  427,  472,  495, 

499. 
Berberis     canadensis,     427,     489, 

507. 
vulgaris,  426,  475,  503- 
Bergamot,    Wild    121,   480,   485, 

513- 
Berry,   June  397, 

Male  413,  473- 

Service  397,  489,  5<H- 
Berula,  104. 

erecta,  104,  464,  470,  5 1 3. 
Betony,  Wood  374,  492,  5°5- 
Betula,  500. 

glandulosa,  381,  474. 

pumila,  381,  462. 
Bidens  Beckii,  234,  470,  517. 

bipinnata,  232,  473,  517. 

connata,  232,  465,  517. 

frondosa,  230,  473,  517. 

laevis,  232,  465,  517. 

trichosperma,  234,  465,  517. 
Biennials,    16. 
Bignonia  capreolata,  435. 
Bindweed,  Black  28,  483. 

Field  419,  476,  509. 

Hedge  419,  459,  509- 


Birch,  Dwarf  381,  474. 

Glandular  381. 

Low  381,  462. 

Scrub  381. 

Swamp  381,  462. 
Bird-foot  Violet,  321,  476. 
Bishop's  Cap,  33,  85,  495. 
Bishop's-weed,    Mock    102,    464, 

509- 
Bitter  Dock,  26,  482. 

Herb,  282,  476. 
Bittersweet,  456,  473,  510. 
Climbing  389,  459,  508. 
Shrubby  389,  459. 
Bitter-weed,  36,  485. 
Black  Alder,  401,  472,  504. 
Bindweed,  28,  483. 
Cap,  398. 
Cohosh,  73,  495. 
Currant,  Swamp  384,  463. 
Haw,  423,  480,  506. 
Henbane,  203,  477,  510. 
Huckleberry,  442,  464. 
Medick,  180,  476. 
Mustard,  169,  475. 
Raspberry,  398,  475. 
Scrub  Oak,  382,  479. 
Snakeroot,  73,  102,  495,  496, 

512. 
Whortleberry,  442. 
Blackberry,     High      Bush      398, 
504. 
Lily,  159,  474,  506. 
Low   399,  479. 
Low  Bush  399,  479. 
Mountain  398,  489. 
Running  399,  479. 
Running  Swamp  400,  472. 
Sand  399,  479. 
Black-eyed  Susan,  226,  480,  511. 
Blackthorn,  400,  475. 
Bladder  Campion,  66. 

Nut,     American     403,    492, 

504. 
Bladderwort,  470. 

Common  209,  470. 
Horned  210,  470. 
Purple  350,  470. 
Blazing  Star,  44,  357,  47 1.  473, 

480,  506,  516. 
Blephilia  ciliata,  341,  491,  510. 
hirsuta,  341,  491,  510. 


522 


INDEX 


Blite,  Coast  253. 

Sea  29,  466. 
Bloodroot,  75,  495,  500. 
Blue  Cohosh,  30,  495,  500. 

Curls,  333. 

Devil,  331,  476. 

Flag,    Larger   300,  371,  462, 
502. 

Slender  371,  462. 

Lettuce,  370,  493. 

Myrtle,  326,  485. 

Phlox,  328,  496,  505. 

Sailors,  369. 

Tangle,  '444,  496. 

Toadflax,  346,  480. 

Vervain,  331,  473. 

Vetch,  452,  480,  508. 
Bluebell,  352,  492. 
Bluebells,  330,  459. 
Blueberries,  505. 
Blueberry,  415,  444,  455. 

Canada  417,  465. 

Early  Sweet  417,  491. 

High  Bush  417. 

Late  Low  417,  491. 

Low  Pale  446. 

Low  Sweet  417,  491. 

Sour- top  417. 

Swamp  417,  465. 

Tall  417. 

Velvet-leaf  417. 
Bluebottle,  368,  486. 
Blue-eyed   Grass,   302,   471,   500, 

502. 
Bluets,  129,  351,  473,  501. 

Clustered  130,  467. 
Blue- weed,  331,  476. 
Bog  Asphodel,  149,  461,  506. 

Aster,  362,  465. 

Golden-rod,  220,  465. 

Orchis,  Small  Northern  23. 

Rosemary,  412,  464,  505. 

Willow,  378, 
Boneset,  132,  473. 

Upland  132,  492,  516. 
Bottle  Gentian,  326. 
Bouncing  Bet,  256,  475,  483,  512. 
Bower,  Virgin's  392,  458. 

Purple  450. 
Bowman's  Root,  86,  495. 
Bramble,  398,  489. 
Brasenia  Schreberi,  307,  470. 


Brassica  alba,  169,  484. 

nigra,   169,  475. 
Brier,  Cat  376. 

Green  376,  471. 

Horse  370,  471 . 
Bristly  Crowfoot,   165,  472,  507. 

Green  Brier,  377,  471. 

Locust,  440,  484. 
Broad-leaved   Sandwort,  04,  467, 

503- 

Brook  Sunflower,  232. 
Brooklime,    American    348,    460, 

510. 
Brook-weed,  116,  459,  509. 
Broom  Crowberry,  455,  467. 

Scotch  430,  504. 
Brown  Knapweed,  368,  478. 
Brush,  Indian  Paint  291. 
Buckthorn,  390,  463,  508. 

Common  390,  484,  504. 
Buckwheat,  252. 

Climbing  False  383,  483. 

Crested  False  383. 
Bugbane,  73,  495. 
Bugle  Weed,  121,  465,  473,  513. 
Bugloss,  Viper's  331,  476,  510. 
Bulbous  Buttercup,  166,  503. 

Crowfoot,  166. 
Bull  Thistle,  366,  478,  514. 
Bullace  Grape,  392. 
Bunchberry,  405,  496,  509. 
Bunch-flower,  22,  471,  502. 

Crisped  46,  471. 
Bur   Cucumber,   One-seeded  423, 

460. 
Burdock,  366,  478. 
Bur  Marigold,  230. 

Larger  232,  465. 
Burnet,  Canadian  87,  463,  515, 
Burning  Bush,  455,  470,  508. 
Bur-reed,  38,  457,  469,  506. 
Burweed,  Hedgehog  22<\  468. 
Hush  Clover,  315,  47*;,  515. 

Fetter  410,  459. 

Honeysuckle,  435,  41)2,  510. 
Bushy  Aster,  360,  477. 
Butter  and  BggS,  204,  477. 
Buttercup,   Bulbous  100,  503. 

Common  483. 

Creeping  165,  472. 

Swamp  165,  472,  503. 

Tall  166,  483,  to?,. 


523 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


Butterfly  Pea,  454,  476,  508. 
Butterfly-weed,  200,  476,  509. 
Butter- weed,  140,  485. 
Button,  Bachelor's  368. 
Snakeroot,  357,  473- 
Large  357. 
Buttonbush,  420,  460,  514. 
Button- weed,  129,  460. 


Cabbage,  Skunk  21,  461,  499- 
CacaJia  atriplicifolia,   144,  497- 

reniformis,  144,  497- 

suaveolens,  146,  460. 
Cakile  edentula,  310,  467,  512. 
Calamus,  457. 
Calico  Aster,  136,  477. 
Calico-bush,  410,  490. 
Calla  palustris,  42,  461. 

Wild  42. 
Callitriche  deflexa,  34,  472. 
Calopogon,  250,  462. 

pulchellus,  250,  462,  511. 
Caltha  palustris,    166,    463,    499, 

500. 
Calycanthus  fertilis,  451,  489. 

floridus,  451,  489,  500. 
Calypso,  372,  494,  503. 

Beautiful  251. 

bulbosa,  251,  372,  494,  503. 

Northern  251. 
Campanula  aparinoides,  353,  473. 

ranunculoides,  353,  480,  514. 

rotundifolia,  352,  492,  514. 
Campion,  Bladder  66,  474. 

Moss  307,  488,  511. 

Red  254,  474. 

Starry  66,  488. 

White  66,  474. 
Canada  Anemone,  458. 

Blueberry,  417,  465. 

Hawkweed,  240,  493. 

Lily,   154- 

St.  John's-wort,  188,  480. 

Thistle,  367,  486. 

Violet,  373,  49°- 
Canadian  Burnet,  87,  463,  515. 
Cancer-root,  210,  351,  498. 

One-flowered  351,  498. 
Cap,  Black  398. 
Caper  Spurge,  34,  484. 


Capillaire,  114,  4(34,  496. 
Capsella  Bursa-pastoris,  79,  484, 

501. 
Caraway,  104,  485. 
Cardamine  bulbosa,  80,  472,  503. 

hirsuta,  80,  472. 

pratensis,  80,  458,  503. 
Cardinal-flower,  292,  460,  514. 
Carduus  nutans,  366,  478,  511. 
Carolina  Allspice,  451,  489,  5°°- 
Carpenter-weed,  337,  477- 
Carpet  Weed,  62. 
Carrion-flower,  377,  458. 
Carrot,  Wild  108,  485. 
Carum  Carvi,  104,  485. 
Cassandra,  Dwarf  413,  464,  501. 
Cassena,  402,  495,  504. 
Cassia    Chamaecrista,    177,    475, 
512. 

marilandica,    177,    459.    472, 
512. 

nictitans,  177,  475.  479,  512. 
Castalia  odorata,  68,  469,  507. 
Castilleja     coccinea,     291,     480, 

510. 
Cat  Brier,  376. 
Catchfly,  256,  488,  507. 

Night-flowering  68,  474,  507. 

Sleepy  254,  474,  507. 
Catgut,  260,  508. 
Catnip,  121,  485. 
Cat- tail  Flag,  374,  461. 

Narrow-leaved  375,  461. 
Caulophyllum    thalictroides,    30, 

495,  5°°. 
Ceanothus   americanus,  404,  490, 
512. 

ovatus,  404  490,  504. 
Celandine,  168,  483,  503. 

Poppy,  168,  495,  503- 
Celastrus     scandens,     389,     459, 

508. 
Centaurea  Cyanus,  368,  485  514. 

Jacea,  368,  478,  511. 

nigra,  368,  478,  51 5- 
Centaurium  pulchellum,  280,  473. 

spicatum,  282,  467. 

umbellatum,  282,  476. 
Centaury,  280,  473. 

Spiked,  282,  467. 
Cephalanthus    occidentalis,    420, 
460,  514- 


524 


INDEX 


Cerastium  arvense,  65,  474,  503. 

nutans,  (-.<>,  472. 

viscosum,  65,  474. 

vulgatum,  65,  474,  483. 
Chaff-seed,  209,  330,  467,  505. 
Chamacdaphne    calyculata,    413, 

4<>4.  vSoi- 
Chamaelirium    luteuni,    44,    471, 

506. 
Checkerberry,  112,  491,  301,  513. 
Cheeses,  92,  484. 
Chelidonium  majus,  i(>8,  483,  503. 
Chelone  glabra,  123,  473,  513. 
Chenopodium  allium,  28,  483. 

rubrum,  233. 
Cherry,  Choke  401,   489. 

Clammy  Ground  203,  480. 

Dwarf  401,  467. 

Ground  203,  485. 

Rum  401. 

Sand  401,  467,  479. 

Wild  Black  401,  504. 
Chickasaw  Plum,  400,  475. 
Chickweed,  Common  64,  483. 

Common  Mouse-ear  65,  474. 

Field     Mouse-ear     65,     474, 

503- 

Forked  60,  488. 

Indian  62,  458,  479. 

Marsh  56,  462. 

Mouse-ear  65,  66,  472,  474. 

Wintergreen,    116,  491. 
Chicory,  369,  478,  515. 
Chimaphila   maculata,    274,    490, 

509- 
umbellata,  274,  490,  513. 
Chinquapin  ( )ak,  382. 

Water  163. 
Chiogenes    hispidula,     114,     464, 

496,  505: 
Chionanthus  virginica,  418,  459, 

505- 
Chokeberry,  395,  463. 
Choke  Cherry,  401,  489. 
Christmas  Flower,  499. 
Chrysanthemum    Leucanthemum, 

144,  478,  486,  511. 
Chrysopsis  taleala,  210,  477,  314. 

mariana,  210,  477,  516. 
Chrysosplenium   amrrieanum,  x^\, 

4'\v 
Cicely,  Sweet  102,  490. 


Cichorium  [ntybus,  369,  \j*.  315. 
Cicuta  bulbifera,  104,  464. 

maculata,  104,  404. 
Cimicifuga  racemosa,  73,  495,  512. 
Cinquefoil,   172,  307. 
^  Common  174,  473,  304. 

Purple  312. 

Shrubby  174.  475- 

Silvery  172,  473- 

Tall  172,  475. 
Circaea  Lutetiana,  98,  509. 
Cirsiun]  altissimum,  367,  47s. 

arvense,  307,  485. 

lanceolatum,  366,  478,  314. 

muticum,  367,  465. 

pumilum,  367,  478. 

spinosissimum,  2;->(>,  468,  4<s<>, 

511- 
Cissus  Ampelopsis,  391,  439,  508. 
Clammy  Azalea,  411,  464,  509. 

Cuphea,  323,  476. 

Everlasting,  142,  477. 

Ground  Cherry,  203,  480. 
Claytonia   caroliniana,    258,   488, 
500. 

virginica,  238,  488,  500. 
Clearweed,  26,  495. 
Cleavers,  128,  467. 
Clematis  crispa,  451,  488,  503. 

Marsh  451,  488. 

ochroleuca,  308,  488,  503. 

Purple  308,  488,  503. 

verticillaris,  430,  489,  303. 

Yiorna,  430,  47 J,   503. 

virginiana,  yV)^,  43s.  31  2. 

Whorled  430,  4*0. 
Clcomc  serrulata,  4N4. 

spin- >si.  Si ,  260,  484. 
Clethra  acuminata,  408,  490,  513. 

Alder-leaved  408. 

alnifolia,  40s,  472,  513. 
Climbing   Bittersweet,   389,   430. 

•808, 

False  Buckwheat,  383,  483. 

Fumitory,  431,  483,  307. 
1  [empweed,  44s,  400,  314. 
Rose,  440,  4S4,  512. 
Clintonia  boreal]  .  15'',   194,  506. 
umbellulata,  .17,  494. 
White  47.  cm. 
yellow  156,  494. 
Clitoria  mariana,  434,  471-. 
23 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 


Closed  Gentian,  326,  473,  517. 
Clotbur,  366,  485. 
Clover,  Bush  315,  479- 

Hop  179,  475- 

Low  Hop  180. 

Rabbit-foot  313,  475- 

Stone  313,  475. 

Sweet  180,  476. 

White  89,  475. 

Yellow  179,  475. 
Club,  Golden  147,  469. 

Hercules'  408,  459. 
Clustered  Bluets,  130,  467. 
Coast  Blite,  253. 

Jointweed,  58,  252,  479- 

Knotgrass,  251. 
Cockle,  Corn  254,  483. 
Cocklebur,  Spiny  227,  485. 
Coffee,  Wild  352,  496. 
Cohosh,  Black  73,  495- 

Blue  30,  495. 
Colic-root,  50,  487. 
Collard,  Wild  144. 
Collinsonia  canadensis,  202,  496, 

513- 
Coltsfoot,  235,  460. 
Columbine,  Wild   258,  372,  488, 

500. 
Comandra    umbellata,     56 

503. 
Commelina  communis,  299,  482. 

virginica,  299,  494. 
Common  Alum  Root,  33. 

Barberry,  426,  475,  503- 

Bladderwort,  209,  470. 

Blue  Violet,  472. 

Buckthorn,  390,  484,  504. 

Chickwced,  64,  483. 

Cinquefoil,  174,  475,  5°4- 

Evening  Primrose,  195,  476- 

Everlasting,  142,  477. 

Flax,  319.  484,  508. 

Fumitory,  260,  475,  5°7- 

Gromwell,  119,  200,  476. 

Groundsel,  235,  478,  5U- 

Hemp  Nettle,  337.  477.  5™- 

Locust,  440. 

Mallow,  92. 

Milkweed,  284,  328,  509. 

Morning  Glory,  446,  485. 

Mouse-ear     Chickweed,     65 
483. 


Common . — Continued. 

Mullein,  204,  477. 

Nightshade,  123,  485,  513. 

Pimpernel,  278,  476,  509. 

St.    John's- wort,     186,    485, 
508. 

Smartweed,  27,  458,  483. 

Speedwell,  350. 

Tansy,  234. 

Thistle,  366,  478. 

White      Water       Crowfoot, 
68. 

Winter  Cress,  171,  472. 

Wood  Sorrel,  89. 
Composite  Family,  1 1 . 
Cone-flower,  226,  473,  5*4- 

Gray-headed  228,  477. 

Purple  226, 
Conioselinum      chinensis,       106, 

464. 
Conium  maculatum,  102,  470. 
Conopholis  americana,  210,  498, 

505- 
Convolvulus    arvenis,    419,    470, 

509- 
sepium,  419,  459.  5°9- 
var.  pubescens,  420. 
Coptis  trifolia,  71,  463.  5Q3- 
474,  I  Coral  Root,  303,  304,  488,  503. 
5U,5i5. 
Early  303. 
Corallorhiza  maculata,  304,  488, 

5"- 

odontorhiza,  303,  488,  515. 

striata,  304,  488,  503. 

trifida,  303. 

Wisteriana,  304,  488,  503. 
Corema  Conradii,  455,  467- 
Coreopsis,  296. 

rosea,  296,  465,  514. 
Corn  Cockle,  254,  483,  511. 

Gromwell,     119,     476,    501. 

505. 
Corn  Mint,  123. 

Spurrey,  62,  483. 

Squirrel  77. 
Cornel,  459. 

Dwarf  405,  496. 

Round-leaved  405,  49°,  5<>9- 

Silky  406,  464. 

Stiff  406,  464. 
Corn-flower,  368. 


526 


INDEX 


Cornus  Amomum,  406,  464,  509. 

canadensis,  405,  496,  509. 

circinata,  405,  490,  509. 

paniculate,  406,  459,  509. 

stolonifera,  406,  464. 

stricta,  406,  464. 
Coronilla,  261,  476. 

varia,  261,  476,  508. 
Corpse  Plant,  no,  498,  509. 
Corydalis  aurea,  169,  483,  503. 

Golden  169,  483,  503. 

Pale  258,  483,  503. 

sempervircns,  258,  483,  503. 
Corylus  americana,  380,  474,  500. 

rostrata,  380,  474,  500. 
Cotton  Grass,  38. 

Thistle,  368,  478. 
Cowbane,  106,  464,  516. 

Spotted  104,  464. 
Cow  Lily,  162,  507. 

Parsnip,    106. 

Wheat,  208,  492,  510. 
Cowslip,  American  278,  496,  505. 

Virginian  330,  459. 
Cranberries,  505. 
Cranberry,  276,  465. 

High  Bush  421. 

Large  American  276,  465. 

Tree,  421,  496,  510. 
Crane  Fly  Orchis,  24,  305,   494, 

507. 
Cranesbill,  261,  480. 

Long-stalked  319,  476. 

Wild  262,  490. 
Crataegus    tomentosa,    398,    479, 

504. 
Creeping  Buttercup,  165,  472. 

Dalibarda,  87,  489. 

Phlox,  285,  496. 

Snowbeny,  1 14,464,  490,  505. 

Thyme,  342,  4.X0,  4X5. 

Wintergreen,   1 12,  491. 
.  Common  Winter  171,  472. 

Hairy  Rock  81,  489. 

Marsh   171,  463. 

Mouse-ear  79,  475. 

Spring  80,  472,  503. 

Water  79,  463. 
Crested  False  Buckwheat,  383. 
Crinkle-root,  80. 
Crisped  Bunch-flower,  46,  471. 
Crooked-stem  Aster,  364,  4(10. 

3 1  5 


Cross-vine,  435. 
Crosswort,  198. 
Crotalaria    sagittalis,    179,    479, 

508. 
Crowbcrry,  Broom  455,  467. 
Crowfoot,  Bristly  165,  472,  507. 

Bulbous   166. 

Common    White    Water   68, 
470. 

Cursed  164.  462,  507. 

Ditch  164, 

Early  165,  488. 

Family,   7. 

Hooked  165,  488,  503. 

Sea-side   163,  467,  507. 

Small-flowered  164,  458. 

Stiff  Water  69,  470.  ' 

Tall  166,  507. 

Yellow  Water  163,  470. 
Crow  Garlic,  23. 
Cuckoo    Flower,    80,     260,     458, 

503. 
Cucumber,  One-seeded    Bur   423, 

460. 
Cucumber-root,   Indian   157,  494, 

506. 
Cudweed,  514. 

Low  142,  477, 

Marsh   142. 

Purple  143,  468. 

Winged  142. 
Culver's  Physic,  127,  496. 
Culver's-root,  127,  496,  513. 
Cunila  origanoides,  123,  492. 
Cup,  Huntsman's  311. 

Scarlet  Painted  291,  480. 
Cuphea,  Clammy  323,  476. 

petiolata,  32^,  476. 
Curled  Mallow,  92. 
Curls,  Bhu-  333. 
Currant,   Fetid  385. 

Red  385,  484. 

Skunk  385. 

Swamp  Black   $84,  463, 

Wild   Black  3S4,  504. 
Cursed  Crowfoot,   [64,  462,  507. 

Cuscuta  arvensis,  433,  498. 

Coryli,  433,   198. 

Gronovii,  132,  (98. 
( 'ynthia,  237,  497,  506. 
Cypress  Spurge,  34,  484- 

Vine,  440,  485,  513. 

27 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Cypripedium    acaule,    244,    488, 
502. 
arietinum,  302,  371,  462,  502. 
candidum,  462,  502. 
hirsutum,  50,  371,  462,  506. 
parviflorum,  159,  462,  502. 
var.  pubescens,  160,  371, 
488. 
Cytisus  scoparius,  430,  479.  5°4- 


I) 


Dahoon  Holly,  403,  463. 
Daisy   Fleabanc,    138,    477.    485, 
510. 

Michaelmas  136. 

Ox-eye  144,  478,  486,  511. 

White  144. 

Yellow  481. 
Dalibarda  repens,  87,  489. 

Creeping  87,  489. 
Dandelion,  237,  502. 
"Dwarf  236,  478,  582. 

Fall  237,  478,  506. 
Dangleberry,  444,  496. 
Datura  Stramonium,  124,  485. 
Daucus  Carota,  108,  485. 
Day-flower,  299,  482,  494. 

Asiatic  299. 
Day  Lily,  150,  482. 
Dead  Nettle,  337,  485,  5<>i- 
Decodon   verticillatus,    269,    323, 

464. 
Deerberry,  415,  49*  • 
Deergrass,  271,  464. 
Delphinium  exaltatum,  310,  489, 
512. 

tricorne,  73,  310,  489,  500. 
Dense-flowered  Aster,  136,  477. 
Dentaria  diphylla,  80,  495,  501. 

heterophylla,  311. 

laciniata,  80,  311,  495.  5<>i. 
Deptford  Pink,  256,  475,  512. 
Desmodium  bracteosum,  314,  489 

canadense,  314,  489. 

grandiflorum,  314,  489. 

nudiflorum,  313,  489. 

paniculatum,  314,  489. 

rotundifolium,  314,  489. 
Desmodiums,  508. 
Devil's  Bit,  44,  471. 

Paint  Brush,  239,  478. 


Dewberry,  399,  475. 

Dianthus  Armeria,  256,  475,  512. 

Dicentra  canadensis,  77,  495,  500. 

Cucullaria,  77,  495,  500. 
Diervilla  Lonicera,  435,  492,  510. 
Diodia  teres,  129,  460. 
Dioscorea  villosa,  425,  471. 
Diphylleia  cymosa,  75,  463,  503. 
Dirca  palustris,  431  495,  501. 
Ditch  Crowfoot,  164. 

Stonecrop,  31,  171,  458,  512. 
Dittany,  123,  344,  492. 
Dock,  Bitter  26,  482. 

Golden  27,  466. 

Great  Water  26,  462. 

Pale  26,  458. 

Smaller  Green  27,  482. 

Swamp  26,  462. 

White  26,   466. 

Yellow  26,  482. 
Dockmackie,  422,  492,  505. 
Dodder,  432,  498,  509. 
Dodecatheon    Meadia,    278,    496, 

505- 
Dogbane,     Spreading     446,    491, 

509. 

Dogberry,  384,  489. 
Dog  Fennel,  143,  478. 

Rose,  440,  458. 

Violet,  323,  472. 
Dog's-tooth  Violet,  154. 

White  46,  471,  499. 
Dogwood,  Poison  387,  463. 

Red-osier  406,  464. 

Round-leaved  405. 
Doorweed,  27. 
Downy    Arrow- wood,    422,    492, 

505- 

False  Foxglove,  206. 

Phlox,  285,  491. 

Willow  Herb,  273. 

Yellow  Violet,  193,  490. 
Draba  caroliniana,  79,  475,  499- 

verna,  77,  475,  5<>i. 
Dragon  Arum,  371. 

Head,  False  287,  459,  5 10. 

Root,  Green  20,  494. 
Drosera,   507. 

filiformis,  312,  463. 

longifolia,  83,  463. 

rotundifolia,  81,  463. 
Duchesnea  indica,  86,  475. 
528 


INDEX 


Duckweed,  22,   469. 

Ivy-leaved  22,  469. 
Dutchman's    Breeches,    77,    495, 
500. 

Pipe,  448,  495,  503. 
Dutch  Moss,  40. 
Dwarf  Birch,  381,  474. 

Cassandra,  413. 

Cherry,  401,  467. 

Cornel,  405,  ^)<>. 

Dandelion,'  236,  478,  582. 

Ginseng,    [00. 

Gray  Willow,  378,  474. 

Huckleberry,  444,  4(4. 

Larkspur,  73,  310,  489,  500. 

Mistletoe,  426,  498. 

St.  John's- wort,   188,  472. 

Sumach,  389,  490,  512. 

Thorn,  398,  479,  504. 

Wild  Rose,  439,  463. 
Dyer's  Greenweed,  42M,  47s,  484, 
508. 

Weed,  31,  475. 

Weld,  31,  475. 


E 


Early  Coral  Root,  303. 

Crowfoot,  165,  488. 

Meadow  Rue,  30,  488,  500. 

Saxifrage,  83,  489,  501. 

Scorpion  Grass,  119,  491,  501. 

Sweet  Blueberry,  417,  491. 

Yellow  Violet,  193,  495. 
Earth  Gall,  282,  476. 
Echinocystis     lobata,    424,     460, 

5U- 
Echium  vulgarc,  331,  476,  510. 
Eel  Grass,  469. 
Eglantine,  439,  475. 
Elder,   423. 

Common  473,  510. 

Marsh  424,  465. 

Red-bcrrird  423,  492,  506. 
Elderberry,  423,  510. 
Elecampane,  224,  477,  517. 
Elodea  canadensis,  40,  457. 
Enchanter's  Nightshade,  98,  509. 
English  Violet,  322. 
Epifagus  virginiana,  351.  498. 

a    repens,    1 1<>,    271.,    49] , 

3<  >  1 

5 


Epilobium  angustifolium,  271, 

4<>>(>.  513- 
coloratura,  273,  472,  513. 
densum,  98,  273,  472,  513. 

111.  .lie,    273,    404,    5I3. 

Epipactis     decipiens,     50,     488, 

5". 

I  albescens,  54,  48.S,  515. 
repens,  54,  4-4,  511. 
Erechtites  hieracifolia,    144,   496, 

514- 
Erect  Knotweed,  27,  483. 
Erigeron  annuus,  138,  485. 

canadensis,   140,  485,  514. 

philadelphicus,  294,  473,  506. 

pulchellus,  364,  496,  501. 

ramosus,  138,  477,  510. 
Eriocaulon  articulatum,  42,  4<><). 
Eriophorum  angustifolium,  3s. 
Erysimum    cheiranthoides,     170, 

458.  512. 
Erythronium    albidum,    46,    471, 

499- 

americanum,  154,  471. 
Eupatorium      aromaticum,      132, 
496. 

hyssopifolium,  130,  480,  516. 

leucolepis,  130,  465,  31(1. 

I  >erf<  >liatum,   132,  473,  516. 

purpureum,  294,  473,  510. 
var.  maculatum,  294. 

sessilifolium,  132,  492,  516. 

urticaefolium,  132,  496. 

verbenaefolium,   132,  473, 
516. 
Euphorbia  corollata,  92,  480,  512. 

Cyparissias,  34,  4S4. 

Family,  9. 

[pecacuanhae,  33,  407,  504. 

Lathyrus,  34,  484. 

maculata,  92,  265,  47<>. 

marginata,  <)<>.  48  \. 

polygonifolia,  34.  4<-7. 
Euphrasia  Oakesii,  127,  374,  402. 
European  Vervain,  331  • 
Evening  Lychni  ;,  '><>. 

Primrose,  Common  195,  47<>- 
Everlasting,  Commoa  142,  477. 

(Mammy  142,  477. 

Pearly  140,  514. 
Plantain-leaved     140,     477, 
502, 

2«  J 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


Evonymus  americanus,  455,  459, 
508. 

atropurpurcus,  455,  476,  508. 

obovatus,  456,  459. 
Eyebright,  127,  374,  492. 


Fagopyrum  esculentum,  252. 
Fall  Dandelion,  237,  478,  506. 
False  Acacia,  440. 

Beech  Drops,  276,  498,  509. 

Buckwheat,     Climbing     383, 

483. 

Crested  383. 

Dragon  Head,  287,  459,  510. 

Foxglove,  Downy  206,  492. 
Smooth,  206,  492. 

Goat's  Beard,  171,  489. 

Gromwell,   120,  491. 

Heather,  430, 

Indigo,  179,  202. 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  48,  494, 502. 

Loosestrife,  35. 

Miterwort,  85,  489,  501. 

Pennyroyal,  333,  480,  513. 

Pimpernel,  348,  465. 

Solomon's  Seal,  47,  471. 

Spikenard,  47,  471,  502. 
Farkleberry,  415,  480. 
Featherfoil,  116,  470. 
Feather,  Prince's  252. 
Fennel,  Dog  143,  478. 
Fern,  Sweet  380,  474. 
Fetid  Currant,  385. 
Fetter  Bush,4io,459, 467,491, 499. 
Fever  Bush,  401,  427,  472,  499. 
Feverwort,  352,  496. 
Few-flowered  Milkweed,  284,  467. 
Field  Bindweed,  419,  476,  509. 

Garlic,  23,  298,  471. 

Golden-rod,  218,  477. 

Milkwort,  264,  480. 

Mouse-ear  Chickweed,  65. 

Mint,  123,  289,  473. 

Sorrel,  251,  482. 

Sow  Thistle,  239,  478. 
Fig,  Indian  194,  490. 
Figwort,  347,  492,  513. 
Filbert,  380,  474. 
Filipendula  rubra,  260,  475,  507. 
Fire  Pink,  256,  488,  507. 


Fire  weed,  144,  496,  513,  514. 
Five-finger,  172,  475. 

Marsh  312,  463. 
Flag,  Cat-tail  375,  461. 

Larger  Blue  300, 371,  462,  502. 

Slender  Blue  371,  462,  502. 

Sweet  22,  457. 
Flax,  Common  319,  484,  508. 

Mountain  90. 

Yellow  181. 

Grooved  181,  490. 
Slender  181,  490. 
Wild  181. 
Fleabane,  294,  473,  506. 

Daisy  138,  477,  4^5,  5i°- 

Salt  Marsh  296,  468,  511. 
Fleur-de-lis,  300,  462. 
Floating  Heart,  118,  470,  513. 
Flowering  Moss,  114,  278,  501. 

Raspberry,  Purple  437. 

Spurge,  92,  480,  512. 

Wintergreen,  262,  490. 
Fly  Honeysuckle,  American  436, 
496. 

Mountain  435,  465. 

Poison,  44,  487,  506. 

Swamp  436,  465. 
Foam  Flower,  85. 
Fog-fruit,  120,  459,  505. 
Fool's  Parsley,  106,  476,  509. 
Forget-me-not,  330,  459,  505. 

True,  330,  459. 
Forked  Chickweed,  60,  488. 
Four-leaved  Milkweed,  284,  491, 

505. 
Foxglove,  Downy  False  206,  492. 

Smooth  False  206,  492. 
Fox  Grape,  Northern  391,  490. 

Southern  392. 
Fragaria  virginiana,  86,  472,  475, 

501. 
Fringed  Gentian,  324,  473,  517. 
Loosestrife,  200,  473,  471. 
Orchis,  Large  Purple  303,  471. 
Ragged  24. 

Small  Purple  246,  462. 
White  52,  462,  511. 
Yellow  162,  462,  511. 
Polygala,  262,  490,  504. 
Yellow-eyed  Grass,  149. 
Fringe,  Mountain  451. 
Tree,  418,  459,  505. 


530 


INDEX 


Frost  Grape,  392,  459. 
Frostweed,  192,  480,  508. 
;        Hoary  192. 

Fumaria  officinalis,  260,  475,  507. 

Fumitory,  Climbing  451,  483,  507. 

Common  260,  475,  507. 


Galactia  regularis,  317,  467,  512. 
Galax,  491. 

aphylla,  491,  509. 
Galeopsis  Ladanum,  287,  477. 

Tetrahit,  337,  477,  510. 
Gale,  Sweet  379,  462. 
Galinsoga,   143. 

parviflora,  143,  485. 
Galium,  510. 

Aparine,   128,  467. 

asprellum,  129,  492. 

boreale,  128,  460. 

palustre,  128,  473. 

pilosum,  351,  492. 

trifidum,  128,  465. 

triflorum,  36,  128,  492. 
Gall,  Earth  282,  476. 
Gall-of-the-earth,  146,  370,  478. 
Garden  Orpine,  312,  484,  515. 
Garget,  60,  472. 
Garlic,  Crow  23. 

Field  23,  298,  471. 

Wild  46,  471. 
Gaultheria  procumbens,  112,  491, 

513- 
Gaura,  274,  476. 

biennis,  274,  476. 
Gaylussacia  baccata,  442,  464. 

dumosa,  444,  464. 

frondosa,  444,  496. 
Gelseminum    sempervirens,    432, 

473,  499- 
Genista  tinctoria,  428,  475,  484, 

508. 
Gentiana    Andrewsii,     326,     473, 

517. 

cnmta,  324,  473,  517. 
quinquefolia,   326. 
Gentian,  Bottle  326. 

Closed  326,  473,  517. 
Fringed  324,  473,  517. 
Horse  352,  490. 
Stiff  326,  491. 

53 


Geranium  carolinianum,  262,  480, 
504.  , 

eolumbianum,  319,  476. 

maculatum,    262,    319,    490, 
501. 

Robertianum,  261,  495,  508. 

Wild  262,  319. 
Gerardia  flava,  206,  492. 

maritima,  289,  467. 

parvifolia,  291. 

pedicularia,  206,  492,  514. 

Purple  289,  467. 

purpurea,  289,  467. 

Sea-side  289,  467. 

Slender  289,  477. 

tenuifolia,  289,  477. 

virginica,  206,  492. 

Yellow  206,  492. 
Germander,  American,  287,  473. 
Geum  canadense,  87,  495. 

rivale,  312,  463,  472. 

strictum,  174,  472,  512. 

virginianum,  87,  472,  508. 
Giant  Hyssop,  202,  337,  491,  510. 
Gillenia  trifoliata,  86,  495. 
Gill-over-the-ground,  337,  485. 
Ginger,  Wild  305,  495,  500. 
Ginseng,  98,  496,  513. 

Dwarf  100,  496,  501. 
Glandular  Birch,  381. 
Glasswort,  28,  466. 
Glaucium  flavum,  169,  475. 
Glaucous  Willow,  378,  45.S. 
Glaux  maritima,  278,  467,  509. 
Globeflowcr,  Spreading  168,  463, 
Glossy  Willow,  377. 
Gnaphalium  decurrens,   142,  477, 

514- 
polycephalum,  142,  477,  514. 
purpureum,  143,  468,  514. 
uliginosum,  142,  477,  514. 
Goat's  Beard,  86,  237,  47s,  495. 

False   171,  4S(j. 
Goat's  Rue,  260,  479. 
Golden  Alexanders,  198,  490,  504. 
Aster,  210,  477,  514,  516. 

Maryland  210,  477. 
Club,  147,  469. 
Corydalis,  169,  483,  503. 
Dock,  27,  466. 

Hedge  Hyssup,  204,  465. 
Meadow  Parsnip,   197/ 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Golden . — Continued. 

Ragwort,  236,  473. 

Saxifrage,  33,  463. 

Seal,  74,  5oo. 
Golden-rods,  212,  480,  492,  514. 

Beach  222,  467. 

Bog  220,  465. 

Early  220. 

Field  218,  477. 

Gray  218. 

Plume  220. 

Slender-leaved  222,  467,  480. 

Sweet  216,  477,  514. 
Goldthread,  71,  463,  503. 
Gooseberry,  Hawthorn  384. 

Missouri  489. 

Prickly  384,  489. 

Smooth  384,  489. 

Swamp  384. 
Goose  Grass,  128,  467. 
Goosefoot,  Red  253. 
Gordonia  Lasianthus,  404,  463. 
Grape,  Bullace  392,  504. 

Frost  392,  459. 

Hyacinth,  300,  482,  500. 

Northern  Fox  391,  490. 

Pigeon  392,  490. 

River-bank  392,  459. 

Southern  Fox  392. 

Summer  392,  490. 

Sweet-scented  392,  459. 
Grass,  Arrow  20,  461. 

Blue-eyed  302,  471. 

Cotton  38. 

Goose  128,  467. 

of  Parnassus,  85,  463,  515. 

Orange  190. 

Pink,  248. 

Poverty  430,  467. 

Star  157,  471. 

Whitlow  77,  475. 

Yellow-eyed  147. 
Gratiola  aurea,  204,  465. 

virginiana,  127,  206,  465,  510. 
Gray  Golden-rod,  218. 

Willow,  Dwarf  378. 
Gray -headed    Cone -flower,  228, 

477- 
Great  Angelica,  108,  459. 

Indian  Plantain,  144,  497. 
Laurel  411,  496,  509. 
Lobelia,  353,  460,  473,  514. 


Great. — Continued. 

Ragweed,  37,  477. 

St.  John's- wort,  188,  459. 

Solomon's  Seal,  156,  458,  506. 

Water  Dock,  26,  462. 

Willow-herb,  271,  490. 
Greek  Valerian,  328,  491,  501. 
Green  Adder's  Mouth,  24,  462. 

Alder,  382,  488. 

Amaranth,  29,  483. 

Arrow  Arum,  21,  469. 

Brier,  376,  471. 
Bristly,  377. 

Dock,  Smaller  27. 

Dragon  Root,  20,  494. 

Orchis,  Tall,  Leafy  23. 

Violet,  94,  495,  501. 
Greenweed,  Dyer's  428,  475,  484. 
Grim  the  Collier,  239,  478. 
Gromwell,    Common      119,    200, 
476,  491. 

Corn  119,  476,  505. 

False  120,  202,  491. 
Grooved  Yellow  Flax,  181,  490. 
Ground  Cherry,  203,  485. 
Clammy  203,  480. 

Ivy,  337,  485,  505- 

Laurel,  no,  491. 

Pink,  285,  491. 
Ground-nut,  100,  496. 
Groundsel,    Common     235,    478, 

514- 
Tree,  425,  468. 


H 


Habenaria  blephariglottis,  52,  462, 

5"- 

ciliaris,  162,  462,  511. 
dilatata,  52,  494,  502. 
fimbriata,  303,  471,  506. 
flava,  23,  462,  506. 
hyperborea,  23,  494. 
lacera,  24,  471,  511. 
obtusata,  23,  462,  511. 
psycodes,  246,  462,  511. 
Hairy  Bedstraw,  351,  492. 
Hawkweed,  240,  481. 
Honeysuckle,  436,  514. 
Rock  Cress,  81,  489. 
Tare,  89,  317,  452- 
Vetch,  89,  317,  452,  476. 


532 


INDEX 


Halberd-leaved   Tear-thumb,    58, 

471. 
Hamamelis   virginiana,   428,  495, 

515. 

Hardhack,  437,  472,  475,  512. 
Harebell,  352,  492,  514. 
Haw,  Black  423,  480.    - 
Hawkbit,  237. 
Hawk  weed,  515,  517. 

Canada  240,  493. 

Hairy  240,  481. 

Orange  239,  478,  511. 

Panicled  240,  493. 

Rough  240,  493. 
Hawthorn  Gooseberry,  384. 
Hazel-nut,  380,  474,  500. 

Beaked  380,  474. 
Head,  False  Dragon  287,  459. 
Heal-all,  337,  477. 
Heart,  Floating  118,  470. 
Heart's-ease,  322,  373,  485. 
Heath    Aster,    White     134,    477, 
492. 

Family,  10. 
Heather,  Beach  430. 

False  430. 
Hedeoma    pulegioides,    340,  480, 

510. 
Hedge  Bindweed,  419,  459,   509. 

Hyssop,  127,  465,  510. 
Golden,  204,  465. 

Mustard,      170,     479,     484, 
501. 

Nettle,  339,  465,  513. 
Hedgehog  Burweed,  226,  468. 
Helenium    autumnale,    234,    460, 

517. 
Helianthemum     canadensc,     192, 
480,   508. 
corymbosum,  193,  480. 
majus,  192. 
Helianthus  angustifolius,  228,  465, 

517- 

decapetalus,  230,  460,  517. 
divaricatus,  230,  492,  517. 
giganteus,  228,  405,  517. 
Heliopsis  hclianth( tides,  224,  492, 

517. 

Hellebore,  White  23,  402,  ,s<>(>. 
Helleborus  viridis,  499. 
Helonias  bullata,  298,  46I. 

Hemerocallis  fulva,  150,  482. 

5 


Hemlock  Parsley,   166. 

Poison  102,  470. 

Water  104,  40  \. 
Hemp,  Indian  4 in,  4,s<>,  509. 

Nettle,   Common     1^7,   477, 
510. 

Nettle,  Red  287,  477. 
Hempweed,    Climbing     448,    460, 

5H- 

Henbane,  Black  203,  477,  510. 
Hepatica,  30s,  488. 

acutiloba,  308,  488. 

triloba,  308,  499. 
Heracleum  lanatum,  106,  464. 
Herb  Robert,  261,  495,  508. 

Willow  273,  464. 
Hercules'  Club,  408,  459,  509. 
Heteranthera  dubia,  149,  469. 

reniformis,  44,  300,  469. 
Heuchera  americana,  33,  489. 
Hibiscus,  Crimson-eyed  463. 

Moscheutos,  265,  463,  512. 

oculiroseus,  94,  463,  512. 

syriacus,  267,  484. 

White  94,  463,  512. 
Hieracium  aurantiacum,  239,  478, 

5ii- 

canadense,  240,  493,  515. 

Gronovii,  240,  481,  517. 

paniculatum,  240,  493,  515. 

scabrum,  240,  493,  515. 

venosum,  240,  493,  506. 
High  Bush  Blueberry,  417. 
Cranberry,  421. 
Huckleberry,  442. 
High  Mallow,  205,  476. 
Highwater  Shrub,  424,  405,  514. 
Hoary  Alder,  382,  402. 

Frostweed,  [92. 

Pea,  260,  479,  504. 
Hobble-bush,  421,  505. 

Hobble,    Witch   421. 

Hog  Peanut,  454,  495,  515. 

Hogweed,  36,  485. 

Hofly,   American  495,   50S. 

Dahoon  403,  403,  504. 
Large-leaved  403,  495, 

Mountain  403. 
Honeysuckle,   American   448. 

American  Ply  436,  196. 
Bush  435,   192,  510. 

11. my   436,  492,   514. 

53 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Honeysuckle. — Continued. 

Italian  448. 

Mountain  Fly  435,  465,  505. 

Swamp  Fly  436,  465,  505. 

Tartarian  420,  485,  505. 

Trumpet  437,  485,  505. 

White  Swamp  411,  464. 
Hooked  Crowfoot,  165,  488,  503. 
Hop,  383. 

Clover,  179,  475. 
Low  180,  475. 

Common  458,  511. 

Tree,  401,  484. 
Horehound,  120,  477,  510. 

Water  123,  473,  513. 
Horned  Bladderwort,  210,  470. 
Horn  Poppy,  169,  475. 
Horse  Balm,  202,  496,  513. 

Brier,  376,  471. 

Gentian,  352,  496. 

Mint,  202,  480,  513. 

Nettle,  344,  480. 
Horse-weed,    140,   239,  478,   485, 

514- 
Hottonia  inflata,  116,  470,  505. 
Houstonia  caerulea,  129,  351,  473, 

501. 
Huckleberries,  505. 
Huckleberry,  Black  442,  464. 
Southern  415. 
Dwarf  444,  464. 
High  Bush  442. 
Squaw  415,  491. 
Hudsonia,  467. 

ericoides,  430,  467,  504. 
tomentosa,  430,  467,  504. 
Humulus  Lupulus,  383,  458,  511. 
Huntsman's  Cup,  311. 
Hyacinth,  Grape  300,  482. 
Hybanthus  concolor,  94,  495,  501. 
Hydrangea  arborescens,  395,  489. 

Wild  395,  489. 
Hydrastis    canadensis,     74,    495, 

500. 
Hydrocotyle  americana,  100,  464, 
470. 
umbellata,  100,  470. 
verticillata,  100,  470. 
Hydrophyllum     canadense,     118, 
496. 
macrophyllum,  119,  496,  505. 
virginianum,  119,  496,  505. 


Hyoscyamus  niger,  203,  477. 
Hypericum  adpressum,  186,  472, 
512. 

Ascyron,    188. 

canadense,  188,  480,  512. 

densiflorum,  430,  480. 

ellipticum,  186,  472. 

gentianoides,  190,  480. 

mutilum,  188,  472,  512. 

perforatum,  186,  485,  508. 

prolificum,  430,  480,  512. 

punctatum,  188,  472,  512. 

virgatum,  190,  464,  512. 

virginicum,  267,  463. 
Hypoxis  hirsuta,  157,  471,  502. 
Hyssop,  Giant  202,  337,  491,  510. 

Golden  Hedge  204,  465. 

Hedge  127,  465. 

Skullcap  335,  467. 

Water  347,  466. 
Hyssop-leaved  Thoroughwort,  1 30, 
480. 


I 


Ilex  Cassine,  403,  463,  504. 

glabra,  402,  472,  508. 

laevigata,  402,  472. 

monticola,  403,  495,  504. 

opaca,  495,  508. 

verticillata,  401,  472,  504. 

vomitoria,  402,  495,  504. 
Ilysanthes  dubia,  348,  465. 
Impatiens  biflora,  185,  459,  508. 

pallida,  183,  459,  512. 
Indian  Chickweed,  62,  458,  479. 

Cucumber-root,  157,  494,  506. 

Fig,  194,  490- 

Hemp,  418,  459,  509. 

Mallow,  185,  480. 

Paint  Brush,  291. 

Physic,  86,  495. 

Pink,  373,  496,  505. 

Pipe,  no,  498. 

Plantain,  460,  497. 
Great  144. 
Pale  144,  497. 

Poke,  23,  462. 

Tobacco,  353,  477,  5U. 

Turnip,  20,  371,  494. 
Indigo,  False  179. 

Wild  179,  489,  508. 

534 


INDEX 


Inkberry,  402,  472,  508. 
Innocence,  129,  351,  473. 
Inula  Helenium,  224,  477,  517. 
Ipecac,  Wild  33,  504. 
Ipomoea     hederacea,     448,     480, 

513. 

pandurata,  419,  480. 

purpurea,  446,  485. 

Quamoclit,  446,  485,  513. 
Iris  prismatica,  371,  462,  502. 

versicolor,  300,  371,  462,  502. 
Iron  weed,  355,  473,  516. 
Ironwort,  287. 
Isanthus    brachiatus,     333,    480, 

,      .     513. 

Italian  Honeysuckle,  448. 

Woodbine,  448,  485. 
Iva  oraria,  424,  465,  514. 
Ivy,  Ground  337,  485,  505. 

Poison  385,  484. 
Ivy-leaved  Duckweed,  22,  469. 


3 


Jack-in-the-Pulpit,  20,  494. 
Jamestown  Weed,  124. 
Jasmine,  Yellow  432. 
Jeffersonia  diphylla,  74,  489,  500. 
Jessamine,  Yellow  432,  473,  479. 
Jewelweed,  183,  459. 
Jimson  Weed,  124,  485. 
Joe  Pye  Weed,  294,  473,  516. 
Jointweed,  Coast  58,  479. 
June  Berry,  397,  489,  504. 


Kalmia    angustifolia,     442,     464, 
476,   509- 

latifolia,  410,  490,  505. 

polifolia,  442,  505. 
Kidney  Bean,  453,  467,  512. 
Kinnikinnik,  406,  404,  509. 
Knapweed,  368,  478. 

Brown  368,  478. 

Rayed  368. 
Knotgrass,  Coast  251. 
Knot  weed,  27,  483. 

Erect  27,  483. 

Seaside  58,  251,  466. 
Kosteletzkya  virginica,  207,  467, 
5i5. 


Krigia    amplexicaulis,    237,    497, 
506. 

virginica,  236,  478,  502. 
Kuhnia,  132. 

cupatorioides,  132,  480,  517. 


Labrador  Tea,  408,  496,  504. 

Lace,  Queen's  108. 

Lacnanthcs    tinctoria,    157,    466, 

5"- 

Lactuca  canadensis,  239,  478,  515. 

villosa,  370,  493,  515. 
Ladies'  Tresses,  52,  54,  466,  474, 

5".  5i5. 

Slender  54,  462. 
Lady,  Quaker   395. 
Lady's     Slipper,    Larger    Yellow 
160,  488. 

Ram's  Head  302,  462,  502. 

vShowy  50,  371,  462,  506. 

Smaller  Yellow  159,  402,  502. 

Small  White  462,  502. 

Stemless  244,  488,  502. 
Lady's  Sorrel,  181,  484. 

Thumb,  252,  483. 
Lambkill,  442,  404,  476. 
Lamb's  Quarters,  28,  483. 
Lamium   amplexicaulc,   337,   485, 

501. 
Lance-leaved  Violet,  94,  464. 
Laportea  canadensis,  25. 
Lappula  virginiana,  330,  476,  510. 
Lapsana  communis,  236,  47s. 
Large  American  Cranberry,  276. 

Button  Snakcroot,  357,  477. 

Marsh  Pink,  280,  467. 

Purple-fringed  Orchis,   303. 

Twayblade,  304. 
Large-flowered  Bell  wort,  1 50,  494. 
Syringa,  394,  4*4- 
\\  ake  Robin,  48,  494. 
Large-leaved  Holly,  403,  495. 
Larger  Blue  Flag,  300,  371,  402. 

Bur  Marigold,  2^2,  46$. 

Lady's  Slipper,  160,  488. 

Yellow    Lady's    Slipper,  371, 
488. 
Larkspur,    Dwarf     73,    310,    489, 
500. 

Tall,  310,  489,  512, 


535 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Late  Low  Blueberry,  417,  491. 

Purple  Aster,  359,  477. 
Lathyrus    maritimus,    317,    467, 
508. 

palustris,  317,  459,  508. 
Laurel,  Great  411,  496,  509. 

Ground  no,  491. 

Mountain  410,  490,  505. 

Pale  442,  464,  505. 

Sheep  442,  464,  476,  509. 
Lavender,  Sea  324,  467. 
Leafcup,  224,  496. 
Leaf,  Leather  413. 

Shin  no. 

Umbrella  75,  463. 
Leather  Flower,  450,  472,  503. 

Leaf,  413. 
Leatherwood,  431,  496. 
Leaves,  14. 

Lechea  maritima,  267,  467. 
Ledum  groenlandicum,  408,  496, 

504- 
Leek,  Wild  46,  494. 
Lemna  trisulca,  22,  469. 
Leontodon  autumnalis,  237,  478, 

506. 
Leonurus  Cardiaca,  339,  485,  510. 
Marrubiastrum,      121,     485, 

510. 
sibiricus,  339,  485,  510. 
Lepachys  pinnata,  228,  477,  511. 
Lepidium    virginicum,     79,     475, 

507. 
Lespedeza  angustifolia,  316,  480. 

capitata,  316,  480. 

procumbens,  315,  479,  515. 

Stuvei,  316,  479. 

violacea,  316,  479,  512. 

virginica,  316,  480. 
Lettuce,  Blue  370,  493. 

White  146,  497,  515. 

Wild,  146,  239,  478,  497,  515. 
Leucothoe  axillaris,  410,  472,  499. 

Catesbaei,  410,  459. 

racemosa,  410,  467. 

recurva,  410,  491. 
Liatris  scariosa,  357,  477,  480,  516. 

spicata,  357,  473,  516. 
Lice,  Beggar's  330. 
Ligusticum  scothicum.    106,   467, 

516. 
ligustrum  vulgare,  418. 


Lilium  canadense,  154,  471,  506. 

philadelphicum,  152,  487,  506. 

superbum,  152,  471,  506. 

tigrinum,   152,  482. 
Lily,  Blackberry  159,  374. 

Canada  154. 

Cow  162. 

Day  150,  482. 

Family,  6. 

Meadow  154. 

of  the  Valley,  False  48,  494, 
502. 

Tiger  152,  482. 

Turk's-cap  152,  471,  506. 

Water  68,  469,  507. 

Wild    Orange-red     152,    487, 
506. 

Wild  Yellow  154,  471,  506. 

Wood   152. 

Yellow  Pond  162,  469. 
Limonium  carolinianum,  324,  467, 

Limosella    aquatica,    var.    tenui- 

folia,  125,  291,  460. 
Linaria  canadensis,  346,  480. 

vulgaris,  204,  477,  510. 
Linnaea  borealis,    130,   292,   496, 

510. 
Linum  striatum,  181. 
sulcatum,  181,  490. 
usitatissimum,  319,  484,  508. 
virginianum,  181,  490. 
Lion's-foot,  146,  370,  478,  517. 
Liparis  liliifolia,  304,  488,  507. 

Loeselii,  24,  462,  507. 
Lippia  lanceolata,   120,  459,  505. 
Listera  australis,    160,   304,   494, 

507. 
convallarioides,       160,      494, 

507. 

cordata,  304,  462,  507. 
Lithospermum  arvense,  119,  476, 
5oi_,  505- 

Gmelini,  200,  491. 

officinale,  119,  200,  476. 
Live-for-ever,  312. 
Liverleaf,  308,  488,  499. 
Lizard's  Tail,  56,  462,  507. 
Lobelia  Canbyi,  355,  460,  514. 

cardinalis,  292,  460,  514. 

Dortmanna,  355,  460,  514. 

Cheat  353,  460,  473,  514. 


536 


INDEX 


Lobelia. — Continued. 

inflata,  353,  477,  514. 

siphilitica,  353,  460,  473,  514. 

spicata,  355,  477,  514. 

Spiked  355,  477. 

Water  355,  460,  514. 
Loblolly  Bay,  404,  463. 
Locust,  Bristly  440,  484. 

Common  440. 
Long-leaved  Stitchwort,  65,  483. 

Sundew,  83,  463,  507. 

Willow  Herb,  273,  472. 
Long-spurred  Violet,  322,  490. 
Long-stalked  Cranesbill,  319,  476. 
Lonicera  caerulea,  435,  465,  505. 

canadensis,  436,  496,  501. 

Caprifolium,  448,  485,  505. 

glaucescens,  437. 

hirsuta,  436,  492,  514. 

oblongifolia,  436,  465,  505. 

sempervirens,  437,  485,  505. 

tartarica,  420,  485,  505. 
Looking-glass,  Venus's  352,  480. 
Loosestrife,  96,  323,  464,  473,  509. 

False  35. 

Fringed   200,  473. 

Purple  508. 

Spiked  269,  472,  508. 

Swamp  269,  323,  464. 

Whorled  198,  480. 
Lopseed,  291,  492,  514. 
Lousewort,  208,  374,  465,  492,  516. 
Lovage,  Scotch,  106,  467,  516. 
Love  Vine,  432,  498. 
Low  Birch,  381,  462. 

Blackberry,  399,  479. 

Bush  Blackberry,  399,  479. 

Cudweed,  142,  477. 

Hop  Clover,  180,  475. 

Pale  Blueberry,  44'). 

Rough  Aster,  357,  465. 

Spearwort,  [64,  402. 

Swvct  Blueberry,  417,  491. 

Water  Milfoil,  324,  470. 
Lucerne,  313. 

Ludvigia    alternifolia,    194,    464, 
508. 

hirtella,   [95,  464,  508. 

linearis,  195,  464. 

palustris,  271,  404. 

polycarpa,  35,  464. 

sphaerocarpa,  35,  404. 


Lungwort,  330. 
Lupine  Wild,  313,  479,  s<>4- 
Lupinus  perennis,  313,  479,  5"4- 
Lychnis  alba,  66,  253,  474. 

dioica,  254,  474. 

Evening  66. 

Flos-cuculi,  253,  472. 
Lycopus    amerieanus,     123,    473, 

513- 

sessihfohus,  123,  473,  513. 

virginicus,  121,  465,  473,  513. 
Lyonia  ligustrina,  413,  473,   509. 

mariana,  412,  472. 
Lyre-leaved  Sage,  340,  491,  505. 
Lysimachia  quadrifolia,  198,  480, 

509. 
terrestris,  198,  473,  509. 
Lythrum    hvssopifolia,    323,  464, 

508. 
lineare,  96,  464. 
Salicaria,  269,  472,  508. 


M 


Mad-dog  Skullcap,  333,  459,  513. 
Magnolia  virginiana,  503. 
Maianthemum,     canadense,     48, 

494,  502. 
Male  Berry,  413,  473,  509. 
Mallow,  Common  92,  484. 

Curled  92. 

High  265,  476. 

Indian  185,  480. 

Marsh  265,  407,   515. 

Musk  92,  265,  470. 

Swamp  Rose  2(^,  463. 
Malva  crispa,  92. 

mosehata,  92,  265,  47<>. 

rotundifolia.  i>2,   484. 

sylvestris,  265,  416. 

vertieillata,    471.. 
Mandrake,  74. 
Man-of-the-Earth,  419,  480. 
Marguerite,  144,  47s. 
Marigold,  Larger  Bur  232,  4<>> 

Marsh  i<><>,  410,  499. 

Water  234,  470,    Si  7. 
Marjoram,  Wild  341.  477. 
Marrubium  vulgare.  120,  477,  510. 
Marsh  Bedstraw,  128,  ^73. 

Bellflower,  353,  1.73. 

Chickweed,  65,  402. 


53; 


HARPER'S    GUIDE   TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Marsh. — Continued. 

Clematis,  451,  488. 

Cudweed,  142. 

Cress,  171,  463. 

Elder,  424,  465. 

Five-finger,  312,  463. 

Fleabane,  Salt  296,  511. 

Mallow,  265,  467,  515. 

Marigold,  166,  463,  499,  500. 

Milkwort,  320,  408. 

Pea,  317,  459- 

Pink,  Large  280,  467. 

Rosemary,  324,  467,  513. 

St.  John's-wort,  267,  463. 

Samphire,  29. 

Skullcap,  335,  459- 

Speedwell,  350,  465,  505. 

Vetchling,  317. 
Maryland  Golden  Aster,  210,  477. 
May  Apple,  74,  503. 
Mayflower,   no. 
May-weed,  143,  478. 
Meadow  Beauty,  271,  464,  512. 

Lily,  154. 

Parsnip,  197,  459.  490,  5°4- 
Golden    197. 

Rue,  Early  30,  307,  488,  500. 
Purplish  307,  472. 
Tall  69,  472,  512. 
Meadow-sweet,  395,  472,  475- 
Medeola  virginiana,  157,  494,  5°6. 
Medicago  lupulina,  180,  476. 

sativa,  313,  484- 
Medick,  Black  180,  476. 
Melampyrum   lineare,    208,    492, 

510. 
Melanthium  latifolium,   46,   471, 
502. 

virginicum,  22,  471,  502. 
Melilot,  White  89,  476. 

Yellow  180,  476. 
Melilotus  alba,  89,  476. 
officinalis,  180,  476. 
Menispermum     canadense,     394, 

458,   507. 
Mentha  aquatica,  344,  460. 

arvensis,  123,  289,  473. 

piperita,  344,  460. 

spicata,  344,  460. 
Mercury,  Three-seeded  33,  476. 
Mercury-vine,  385. 
Mermaid  weed,  35,  459,  47°- 


Mertensia    virgmica,     330,     459, 

501. 
Michaelmas  Daisy,  136,  473. 
Michigan  Rose,  440. 
Microstylis  monophyllos,  24,  462, 

507. 
unifolia,  24,  462,  511. 
Mignonette,  Wild  31. 
Mikania      scandens,     448,     460, 

514. 
Mild  Water  Pepper,  252,  458. 
Milfoil,  143,  478. 

Water  35,  323,  470. 
Low  323,  470. 
Milk  Pea,  317,  467,  512. 

Purslane,  265,  476. 
Milkweed,  509. 

Common  284,  328,  473. 

Family,  10. 

Few-flowered  284,  467. 

Four-leaved  284,  491,  505. 

Poke  36. 

Purple  328,  476. 

Red  284,  467. 

Swamp  282,  465,  513. 

White  374. 

Whorled-leaved  118,  491. 
Milkwort,  Field  264,  480. 

Marsh  320,  463. 

Orange  183,  463. 

Racemed  264. 

Sea  278,  467,  509. 

Whorled  90,  476. 
Mimosa  pudica,  177. 
Mimulus  alatus,  348,  473,  510. 

ringens,  347,  473,  5 10. 
Mint,  Corn  123. 

Family,   11. 

Field  123,  289,  473. 

Horse  202,  480,  513. 

Mountain  342,  492,  513. 

Water  344,  460. 

Wood,  341,  491. 
Missouri  Gooseberry,  489. 
Mistletoe,  American  425,  498. 

Dwarf  426,  498. 
Mitchella  repens,  129,  492,  510. 
Mitella  diphylla,  85,  495,  5°3- 

nuda,  33,  495,  503- 
Miterwort,  33,  85,  495,  503. 

False  85,  489. 
Moccasin  Flower,  244. 


538 


INDKX 


Mock    Bishop's-weed,    102,    464, 

509- 

Orange  394,  458,  484. 
Mole  Plant,  34,  484. 
Mollugo  vertieillata,  62,  458,  479. 
Monarda  didyma,  289,  460. 

listulosa,  121,  480,  485,  513. 

punctata,  202,  480,  513. 
Moneses  uniflora,    108,  276,  496, 

509- 
Monkey  Flower,  347,  473,  510. 

Winged  348,  473. 
Monkshood,     Wild       310,      458, 

507. 
Monotropa   Hypopitis,   276,   498, 

509- 
uniflora,  no,  498,  509. 
Moonseed,  394,  458,  507. 
Moose  wood,  421,  431,  496. 
Morning    Glory,    Common     446, 

485,  513- 

Wild  448,  480. 
Moss  Campion,  307,  448,  511. 

Dutch  40. 

Flowering  114. 

Pink,  285,  491,  501. 
Mossy  Stonecrop,  171,  484,  507. 
Motherwort,  121,  339,  485,  510. 
Moth  Mullein,  124,  204,  477. 
Mountain  Alder,  382,  488. 

Aster,  138. 

Bellwort,  150,  461. 

Blackberry,  398,  489. 

Flax,  90. 

Fly  Honeysuckle,  435,  465. 

Fringe,  451. 

Holly,  403. 

Laurel,  410,  490,  505. 

Mint,  342,  492,  513. 

Saxifrage,  Yellow   171,   507. 

Spiderwort,  299. 

Sumach,   389. 
Mouse-ear     Chickweed,     65,     66, 
472,  474,  503. 

Common  65,  474,  483. 
Field  65,  474. 

Cress,  79,  475,  501. 
Mouth,  Adder's  248. 

Snake's  248. 
Moxie  Plum,  114,  464,  400. 
Mud  Plantain,  44,  3(>o.  469. 
Mudwort,  125,  291,  460. 


Mullein,  Common  204,  477. 

Moth  124,  204,  477. 

White  124,  204,  477. 
Muscadine,  392,  459. 
Muscari  botryoides,  300,  482,  500. 
Musk  Mallow,  92,  205,  470. 

Thistle,  366,  478,  511. 
Mustard,  Black  169,  475. 

Family,  8. 

Hedge  170,  479,  484,  501. 

Touvr  81,  475,  503. 

Treacle  170. 

Tumble  170. 

White  169,  484. 

Worm-seed  170,  458,  512. 
Myosotis  laxa,  330,  459,  505. 

scorpioides,  330,  459. 

virginica,  1 19,  491,  501. 
Myrica  asplenifoua,  380,  474. 

earolinensis,  379,  466. 

Gale,  379,  402. 
Myriophylium  humile,  324,  470. 

scabratum,  323,  470. 

verticillatum,  35,  470. 
Myrtle,  Blue  326,  485,  501. 


X 


Narrow-leaved  Cat-tail,  375,  401. 

Sunflower,  228,  465. 
Narthecium     amerieanum,      149, 

461,   506. 
Neckweed,  127. 
Needles,  Spanish  232,  473. 
Nelumbo  lutea,  163,  468. 

Yellow   163. 
Nemopanthus  mucronata,  403. 
Xepeta  Cataria,    121,  485. 

hederacea,  337,  485,  505. 

Nettle,  Common    Hemp   337,  477, 
510. 

337i  4S5- 
Hedge  339,  465,  513. 

Horse   344,   480. 

Red  Hemp  287,  477. 
Slender  25,  47.;. 

Small  25.    in- 
Stinging  25,  474- 

\\     id  2^,. 
New  England  Aster,  330. 
New  Jersey  Tea,  404,  41)0,  512. 
New  York  A      : .    v>:,  468,  477 


539 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Night-flowering  Catchfly,  68. 
Nightshade,   Common     123,   485, 

513- 

Enchanter  s  98. 
Ninebark,  395,  458. 
Nipple-wort,  236,  478. 
Nodding  Pogonia,  248,  488. 

Wake  Robin,  50,  494. 
Nonesuch,  180,  476. 
Northern  Bedstraw,  128,  460. 

Fox  Grape,  391,  490. 

Stitchwort,  65,  472,  503. 
Nymph,  Water  68,  469. 
Nymphaea  ad  vena,  162,  469,  507. 

microphylla,  163,  469. 
Nymphoides  lacunosum,  11 8,  470, 
513. 


Oak,  Bear  382,  479. 

Black  Scrub  382,  479. 

Chinquapin  382. 

Poison  385,  484. 

Scrub  Chestnut  382. 
Oakesia  puberula,  150,  461,  500. 

sessilifolia  150,  487,  500. 
Obolaria  virginica,   118,  324,  496, 

499- 

Oenothera  biennis,  195,  476. 

fruticosa,  195,  476,  509. 

pumila,  197,  476. 
Oldenlandia  uninora,  130,  467. 
Old  Man's  Beard,  418. 
One-flowered     Cancer-root,     351, 
498,  501. 

Pyrola,  108,  276,  496,  509. 
One-seeded  Bur  Cucumber,  423, 

460,   514. 
Onorpodium  Acanthium,  368,  478, 

5H- 

Onosmodium    virgimanum,     202, 

491. 

Opuntia  Rafenesquii,  194,  490. 

vulgaris,  194,  490,  508. 
Orach,  28,  466. 
Orange  Grass,  190,  480. 

Hawkweed,  239,  478,  511. 

Milkwort,  183,  463. 

Mock  394,  458,  484. 

Root,  74,  495. 
Orange-red  Lily,  Wild  152,  487. 


Orchis,  Crane    Fly   24,  305,  494, 

507- 

Family,  6. 

Fringed  52,  502,  511. 

Large,     Purple-fringed      303, 
471. 

Ragged  Fringed  24,  471,  511. 

Rein  23,  462,  506. 

rotundifolia,  246,  494,  506. 

Showy  246,  494,  502. 

spectabilis,  246,  494,  502. 

Small  Northern  Bog  23. 

Small  Purple -fringed  246,462. 

Tall  Leafy  Green  23,  494. 

White-fiinged  52,  462,  511. 

Yellow-fringed  162,  462,  511. 
Origanum  vulgare,  341,  477. 
Ornithogalum  nutans,  47,  482. 

umbellatum,  46,  489. 
Orobanche  uniflora,  351,  498,  501. 
Orontium  aquaticum,  147,  469. 
Orpine,  83. 

Garden  312,  484,  515. 
Osmorhiza  Claytoni,  102,490,504. 

longistylis,   102,  490. 
Oswego  Tea,  289,  460. 
Oxalis  Acetosella,  89,  508. 

corniculata,  181,  484. 

violacea,  319,  490,  508. 
Ox-eye,  224,  492,  517. 

Daisy,  144,  478,  486,  511. 
Oxypolis  rigidior,  106,  464,  516. 
Oyster-plant,  296,  486. 


Paint  Brush,  Indian  291. 

Devil's  239. 
Painted     Cup,    Scarlet   291,   480, 
510. 

Trillium,  50,  244,  374. 
Pale  Corydalis,  258,  483,  503. 

Dock,  26,  458. 

Indian  Plantain,  144,  497. 

Laurel,  442,  464. 

St.  John's- wort,  186,  472. 

Violet,  96,  472. 
Panax    quinquefolium,    98,    496, 

513- 
trifolium,  100,  496,  501. 
Panicled  Aster,  136,  473. 
Hawkweed,  240,  493. 


540 


].\i)i:x 


Pansy,  322,  373,  485. 
Papaver  somniterum,  75. 
Pappoose  Root,  30. 
Parnassia    caroliniana,    85,    463, 

5i5- 
Parnassus,  Grass  <»t  85,  463,  515. 
Parsley   Family,  9. 

Fool's  [06,  47<>,  509. 

Hemlock  106. 

Sea    106. 
Parsnip,  Cow  [06,  404. 

Golden  Meadow  107. 

Meadow  i<>7,  459,  490,  504. 

Water   104,  464. 

Wild  198,  476. 
Partridge  Berry,  129,  492,  510. 

Pea,   177,  475.  5*2. 
Passiflora  incarnata,  405,  480. 

lutea,  431,  496. 
Passion  Flower,  405,  480. 
Yellow  431,  496. 
Pastinaca  sativa,  198,  476. 
Pasture  Rose,  439,  479. 

Thistle,  367,  477. 
Pea,  Beach  317,  467,  508. 

Butterfly  454,  476,  508. 

Family,  8. 

Hoary  260,  504. 

Marsh    317,  459. 

Milk  317,   467. 

Partridge  177,  475. 

Vine,  453,  484. 
Peanut,  Hog  454,  495- 
Pear,  Prickly  194,  490. 

Thorn,  39s. 
Pearl  Plant,  119. 
Pearlwort,  62,  467,  479. 
Pearly  Everlasting,  140,  514. 
Pedicularis  canadensis,   208,   374, 
492,  505- 

lanceolata,  20s,  465,  516. 
Peltandra  virginica,  21,  4<><>. 
Pencil  Flower,  [8o,  480. 
Pennyroyal,  American    $40,    Is", 
510. 

Bastard  333,    177. 

False  333,  \8ot  513. 
Pennywort,   1  [8,  324,  496,  499. 

Water,   100,  404,  470. 

-non  hirsutus,  347,  477,  503. 
Penthorum  sedoides,  31,  171,  45s, 
512. 


Pepper  Bush,  Sweet  408. 

Mild  Water  252. 

Water  27,  458. 
Peppergrass,  Wild  79,  473,  507. 
Peppermint,  344,  400,  510. 
Pepper-rool ,  8o,  4<;.s,  501. 
Perennial  ;,    10. 
Periwinkle,  326,  485, 
Persicaria,  251,  483. 
Phascolus  polystacnyu  ,  453,   i<>7, 

512. 
Philadelphia     grandiuorus,     194, 
458,   4*4- 

inodorus,  394,  4K4. 
Phlox,  Blue  328,  496,  305. 

Creeping  2*5,  joo. 

divaricata,  32*,  496,  505. 

1  )owny  285,  4<>i . 

maculata,  284,  1.59,  m<>,  310. 

pilosa,  285,  401,  505. 

stolomfera,  285,  4<)<>,  305. 

subulata,  285,  49] ,  501. 
Phoradendron     8  ,     42  s, 

498. 
Phryma  Leptostachya,  291,  492, 

514- 
Phyllodoce  coerulea,  491. 
Physalis  heterophylla,  203,  480. 
ixoearpa,  203,  4N3. 
pruinosa,  203,  485. 
Physic,  Culver's  127. 

Indian  86. 
Physocarpus  opulifolius,  393,  43s. 
Physostegia  virginiana,   2.S7,   4s-;, 

510. 
Phytolacca     decandra,    60,    472, 

5'i- 
Pickerel-weed,  2<)<),  4<>«>. 
Pigeon  Berry,  60,  472. 
Grape,  392,  400. 
Pigmy  Weed,  31,  43s. 
I,  28,  29,  483. 
Pilea  punuia,  20,   1.95. 
Pimbina,  421. 

Pimpernel,    Common     278,    470, 
509. 
Falsi    348,  465. 

Water    I  10,   431;. 

Pine-barren    Sandwort,    62,    467, 

5«>5- 

Pine,  Prince's  27 }. 

Pine  a-,',  270,  198. 


51' 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 


Pineweed,  190,  480. 

Pink,  Deptford  256,  475,  512. 

Fire  256,  488. 

Grass  248. 

Ground  285,  491. 

Indian  373,  496,  505. 

Large  Marsh  280,  467. 

Moss  285,  491. 

Sea  280,  467. 

Swamp  298,  441,  461. 

Wild  256,  488,  500. 
Pink-root,  373,  496. 
Pinweed,  267,  467. 
Pinxter  Flower,  441,  464,  504. 
Pipe,  Dutchman's  448,  495. 

Indian  no,  498. 

Vine,  448,  495. 

Woolly  450,  495,  507. 
Pipewort,  42,  469. 
Pipsissewa,  274,  490. 
Pitcher-plant,  311,  463,  507. 
Plantain,  Great  Indian  144,  497- 

Indian  460. 

Mud  44,  300,  469. 

Pale  Indian  144,  497. 

Poor  Robin's  240. 

Rattlesnake     54,    488,    494, 

5ii- 
Robin's  364,  496. 
Water  40,  243,  457,  515. 
Plantain-leaved  Everlasting,   140, 

477,  502. 
Pleurisy-root,  200,  476. 
Pluchea    camphorata,    296,    468, 

5ii- 

Plum,  Beach  400,  467,  504. 

Chickasaw  400,  475. 

Moxic  114,  464. 

Wild  Red  400,  458,  504. 
Yellow  400,  458. 
Plumed  Thistle,  366. 
Podophyllum  pcltatum,  74,  503. 
Pogonia  afrinis,  160,  488,  502. 

Nodding  248,  488. 

ophioglossoides,  248,  462,  506. 

Rose  248,  462. 

Smaller  Whorled  160,  488. 

trianthophora,  248,  488,  515. 

v<  rticillata,  160,  488,  502. 

Whorled  160,  488,  502. 
Poison  Dogwood,  387,  463. 

Plemlock,  102,  476. 


Poison. — Continued. 

Ivy,  385,  484- 

Oak,  385,  484. 

Sumach,  387,  463. 
Poke,  Indian  23,  462. 

Milkweed,  36,  509. 
Poke  weed,  60,  472,  511. 
Polemonium    reptans,    328,    491, 

501. 
Polygala  brevifolia,  321,  463. 

cruciata,  320,  463,  508. 

Fringed  262,  490,  504. 

lutea,  183,  463. 

mariana,  264. 

Nuttallii,  264,  319,  480,  508. 

pauciflora,  262,  490,  504. 

polygama,  264. 

sanguinea,  264,  480,  508. 

Senega,  90,  480,  504. 

verticillata,  90,  476. 
Polygonatum  biflorum,  156,  487, 
502. 

commutatum,  156,  458,  506. 
Polygonella    articulata,    58,    252, 

479,  515- 
Polygonum  acre,  58,  251. 

arifolium,  58,  252,  471. 

aviculare,  27,  483. 

Convolvulus,  28,  483. 

cristatum,  383. 

dumetorum,  488. 

erectum,  27,  483. 

hydropiper,  27,   458,  483. 

hydropiperoides,  252,  458. 

maritimum,  58,  251,  466. 

orientale,  252,  483. 

pennsylvanicum,  251,  483. 

Persicaria,  252,  483. 

prolificum,  251,  466. 

sagittatum,  58,  471. 

scandens,  383,  483. 

virginianum,  27,  471. 
J  Polymnia  canadensis,  224,  496. 

Pondeteria  cordata,  299,  469. 
1  Pond  Lily,  Yellow  162,  469. 
Poor  Robin's  Plantain,  240. 
Poppy,  Celandine    168,  495,  503- 

Horn    169,  475. 

vSea    169,  475. 

White   75,  310,  483. 
Portulaca  oleracea,  162,  483. 
Potato  Vine,  Wild   419,  480. 


542 


INDEX 


Potentilla    Anserina,     174,     463, 

507. 

argentea,   172,  475. 

arguta,  172,  475,  507. 

canadensis,   174,  475,  504. 

frutieosa,  174,  475,  507. 

monspeliensis,  172,  475,  504. 

palustris,  312,  463,  507. 

recta,  172. 
Poverty  Grass,  430,  467,  504. 
Prairie,  Queen  of  the  260. 

Rose,  440. 

Willow,  377,  474. 
Proliant  Iks  alba,  140,  497,  515. 

altissima,  146,  497,  515. 

serpentaria,    146,    370,    478, 

5i7. 
Prickly  Gooseberry,  384,  489. 

Pear,  194,  490,  508. 
Primrose,  Common  Evening   195, 

476. 
Primrose-leaved  Violet,  96,  4b7. 
Prince's  Feather,  252,  483. 

Pine,  274,  490,  513. 
Privet,  418. 

Andromeda,  413. 

Swamp  431,  459. 
Proserpinaca    palustris,    35,    459, 

470. 
Prunella  vulgaris,  337,  477,  510. 
Prunus  americana,  400,  458. 

angustifolia,  400,  475. 

instititia,  400,  475. 

maritima,  400,  467. 

pumila,  401,  467,  479,  501. 

serotina,  401. 

virginiana,  401,  489. 
Psedera  quinquefolia,  390,  490. 
Ptelea  trifoliata,  401,  4.X4,  508. 
Ptilimnium  capillaceum,  102,  404, 

509- 

Puccoon,  Yellow  74,  495. 
Pulse  Family,  8. 
Purple  Aster,  Late  359. 

Avens,  312,  463^472. 

Azalea,  441,  464. 

Bladderwort,  350,  470. 

Cinquefoil,  312. 

Clematis,  308,  488,  503. 

( tadweed,  [43,  .}'>*. 

Flowering     Raspberry,     437, 
475- 

36  5 


Purple. — Continued. 

Fringed    Orchis,   Large    303, 
471. 

Pnnged  Orchis,  Small,  24b. 

Gerardia,  289,  467. 

Loosestrife,  508. 

Milkweed,  328,  509. 

Virgin's  Bower,  450. 
Purple-leaved  Willow  Herb,  273, 

472. 
Purple-stem  Aster,  364,  465. 
Purplish  Meadow  Rue,  307,  472. 
Purse,  Shepherd's  79,  483. 

Pur  lane,    [62,  483. 

Milk  265,  470. 

Sea  307,  4b(>,  511. 

Speedwell,    127. 

Water  271. 
Pussy  Willow,  378. 
Putty-root,  305,  ^2,  494. 
Pycnanthemum    flexuosum,    342, 
492,  313. 

incanum,  342,  492,  513. 

muheum,  342,  492,  513. 

Torrei,  342,  492,  51$. 

virginianum,  342,  492,  513. 
Pyrola  americana,  j  i«>,  490,  509. 

elliptiea,  1 10,  400,  509. 

One-flowered     108,  276,  490, 

509. 
Pyrus  arbutitolia,  395,  463,  501. 

Pyxidanthera  barbulata,  114,  278, 

491,  301. 
Pyxie,   114,  278,  491,  501. 


Q 


Quaker  Lady,  395. 

Quarters,  Lamb's  2s. 

Queen    of    the    Prairie,    200,    475, 

507. 
Queens  Lace,  108. 

Quereus  ilieifolia,  382,  470. 

prinoides,  382. 


R 


Rabbit -foot  Clover,  313,  475. 
Racemed  Milkwort,  204. 
Radicula     Nasturtium-aquatica, 

79,  4"- 
palustris,   171,  463. 

43 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Ragged  Fringed  Orchis,  24. 

Robin,  253,  472. 
Ragweed,  36,  485. 

Great  37,  477,  4»5- 
Ragwort,  Golden  236,  473. 
Raisin,  Wild  422,  465. 
Ram's  Head  Lady's  Slipper,  302, 

462,  502. 
Ramstead,  204,  477. 
Ranunculus  abortivus,    164,   458, 
500. 

acris,  166,  483,  503,  507. 

aquatilis,  68,  470,  507. 

bulbosus,  166,  483,  503. 

circinatus,  69,  470. 

Cymbalaria,  163,  467,  507. 

delphinifolius,  163,  470. 

fascicularis,  165,  488,  500. 

laxicaulis,  164,  462,  507. 

pennsylvanicus,  165,  472,  507. 

pusillus,  164,  462,  500. 

recurvatus,  165,  488,  503. 

repens,  165,  472. 

sceleratus,  164,  462,  507. 

septentrionalis,  165,  472,  503. 
Raspberry,  Black  398,  475. 

Purple  Flowering  437,  475. 

Wild  Red  398. 
Rattle,  Yellow  208,  467,  480. 
Rattle-box,    179,    194,    479,    508. 
Rattlesnake    Plantain,    54,    488, 

494,  5ii,  515- 
Rattlesnake-root,  146,  497. 
Rattlesnake-weed,  240,  493,  506. 
Red  Baneberry,  73,  495,  500. 

Campion,  254,  474. 

Currant,  385,  484. 

Goosefoot,  253. 

Hemp  Nettle,  287,  477. 

Milkweed,  284,  467. 

Plum,  Wild  400. 

Raspberry,  Wild,  398. 
Red -berried     Elder,     423,     492, 

506. 
Red-osier  Dogwood,  406,  464. 
Red-root,  157,  404,  466,  490,  504, 

Rein  Orchis,  23,  462,  506. 
Reseda  Luteola,  31,  475. 
Rhamnus  alnifolia,  390,  463,  508. 

caroliniana,  390,  463. 

cathartica,  390,  484,  504. 


Rheumatism  Root,  74,  489. 
Rhexia  mariana,  271,  461,  512. 

virginica,  271,  461,  512. 
Rhinanthus  Crista-galli,  208,  467, 

480. 
Rhododendron     canadensc,     441, 

464,  505- 

maximum,  411,  496,  509. 

nudiflorum,  441,  464,  504. 

viscosum,  411,  464,  509. 
Rhodora,  441,  464,  505. 
Rhus  copallina,  389,  490,  512. 

glabra,  389,  476,  508. 

Toxicodendron,  385,  484,  508. 

typhina,  387,  476,  508. 

Vernix,  387,  463,  508. 
Ribes  Cynosbati,  384,  489. 

floridum,  384. 

gracile,  489. 

lacustre,  384,  463. 

oxyacanthoides,  384,  489. 

prostratum,  385. 

vulgare,  385,  484. 
Richweed,  26,  495. 
Rich- weed,  202,  496. 
River-bank  Grape,  392,  459. 
Riverbush,   420. 
Roadside  Thistle,  367,  478. 
Robin,  Large-flowered  Wake   48, 
244. 

Ragged  253,  472. 

Wake  244. 
Robinia  hispida,  440,  484. 

Pseudo-Acacia,  440. 
Robin's  Plantain,  364,  496,  501. 
Rock  Cress,  475,  501. 

Hairy  81. 
Rocket,  Sea  310,  467. 

Yellow  171,  472. 
Roman  Wormwood,  36,  485. 
Rosa  canina,  440,  458,  508. 

Carolina,  437,  463,  508. 

humilis,  439,  479. 

lucida,  439,  463- 

nitida,  439,  463- 

rubiginosa,  439,  475. 

setigera,  440,  484,  512. 
Rose  Acacia,  440,  484. 

Climbing  440,  484,  512. 

Dog  440. 

Dwarf  Wild  439,  463. 

Family,  8. 


544 


INDEX 


Rose. — Contin  tied. 

Mallow, Swamp  265,463,512. 

Michigan  440. 

Pasture  439,  479. 

Pogonia,  248,  4O2. 

Prairie  440,  484. 

Swamp  437,  463. 
Rose-bay,  American  411. 
Rosemary,  Bog  412.  464,  505. 

Marsh  324,  467,  513. 
Roses,  Wild  508. 
Rough  Bedstraw,  129,  492. 

Hawkweed,  240,  493. 

Sunflower,  230. 

Woodbine,  436. 
Round-leaved    Cornel,    405,    490, 

509- 

Dogwood,  405. 
Sundew,  81,  463,  507. 
Violet,  193,  495. 
Rubus  allegheniensis,  398,  489. 

canadensis,  399,  479. 

cuneifolius,  399,  479. 

hispidus,  400,  472. 

idaeus,  398,  489. 

occidentalis,  398,  475. 

odoratus,  437,  475. 

trivialis,  399,  479- 

villosus,  399,  475. 
Rudbeckia  hirta,  226,  481,  511. 

laciniata,  226,  473,  514. 
Rue  Anemone,  69,  488,  503. 

Early     Meadow      30,     488, 
500. 

Goat's  260,  479. 

Purplish  Meadow  307,  472. 

Tall  Meadow  69,  472. 
Rum  Cherry,  401. 
Rumex  Acetosella,  251,  482. 

altissimus,  26,  458. 

Britannica,  26,  462. 

conglomerates,  27,  482. 

crispus,  26,  482. 

obtusifolius,  26,  482. 

pallidus,  26,  466. 

persiearioides,   27,  466. 

verticillatus,  26,  462. 
Running  Blackberry,  399,  479. 

Strawberry  Bush,  456. 

Swamp  Blackberry,  400,  472. 
Rush  Aster,  360,  473. 
Russian  Thistle,  29,  483. 


S 


4^7. 


505. 


Sabatia     dodecandra,    280, 
516. 

gracilis,  280,  467,  516. 

stellaris,  280,  467,  516. 
Sacred  Bean,  163,  469. 
Sage,  Lyre-leaved    340,  491, 

Willow,  378. 

Wood  287,  473. 
Sagina  decumbens,  62,  479. 

procumbens,  (>2,  467. 
Sagittaria  latifolia,  40,  457,  502. 
Sailors,  Blue  369. 
St.    Andrew's    Cross,     186,    490, 

512. 
St.  John's- wort,  Canada   188,  472, 
480. 

Common  186,  485,  508. 

Dwarf  188,  472. 

Great  188,  459. 

Marsh  267,  463. 

Pale  186,  472. 

Shrubby  430,  480. 

Weak   188. 
St.  Peter's-wort,  185,  490,  512. 
Salicornia  ambigua,  29,  466. 

europaea,  29,  466. 

mucronata,  28,  466. 
Salix  discolor,  378,  458. 

humilis,   377,   474. 

lucida,  377. 

sericea,  378,  458. 

tristis,  378,  474. 
Salsify,  296,  485. 
Salsola  Kali,  253,  466. 

var.  tenuifolia,  29,  483. 

Salt  Marsh  Aster,  362,  468. 

Fleabane,  296,  168. 

Saltwort,  253,  466. 

Salvia  lyrata,  340,  491,  505. 

officinalis,  340. 
Sambucus    canadensis,    423, 
5IO. 

raoemosa,  423,  492,  506. 
Samolus    floribundus,     ii<>. 

509. 

Samphire,   2S,  466. 
Marsh  29. 

Sand  Blackberry,  309,  479. 
Cherry,  401,  407.  i7(>.  301. 
Spurrey,  253,  400,   170,  507. 


473. 


459. 


545 


HARPER'S   GUIDE   TO   WILD   FLOWERS 


Sandwort,  Broad-leaved    64,  467, 
503. 
Pine-barren  62,  467,  503. 
Sea-beach  64,  467. 
Thyme-leaved  64,  479. 
Sanguinaria  canadensis,   75,  495, 

500. 
Sanguisorba  canadensis,  87,  463, 

515. 
Sanicle,  102,  496. 
Sanicula  marylandica,  102,  496. 
Saponaria    officinalis,     256,    475, 

483,  512. 
Sarracenia  purpurea,  31 1, 463,  507. 
Sarsaparilla,  Wild  98,  496,  504. 
Satureja  hortensis,  341,  485. 

vulgaris,  341,  492. 
Saururus  cernuus,  56,  462,  507. 
Savory,  Summer  341,  485. 
Saxifraga  aizoides,  171,  489,  507. 

pennsylvanica,  31,  472,  503. 

virginiensis,  83,  489,  501. 
Saxifrage,  83. 

Early  83,  489,  501. 

Golden  33,  463. 

Swamp  31,  472,  503. 

Yellow  Mountain     171,  485, 
507. 
Scabious,  Sweet  138,  485. 
Scarlet   Painted   Cup,    291,    480, 

510. 
Schwalbea  americana,    209,    350, 

467,  505. 
Scoke,  60,  472. 
Scorpion  Grass,  330,  459. 

Early  119,  491. 
Scotch  Broom,  430,  479,  504. 

Lovage,  106,  467,  516. 

Thistle,  368,  478,  514. 
Scrophularia     marilandica,     347, 

492,  513. 
Scrub  Birch,  381. 

Chestnut  Oak,  382. 
Scutellaria  galericulata,  335,  459, 
510. 

integrifolia,  335,  461,  505. 

lateriflora,  333,  459,  513. 

nervosa,  335,  491. 

parvula,  335,  480,  501. 
Sea  Beach  Atriplex,  28,  466. 

Blite,  29,  466. 

Lavender,  324,  467. 


546 


Sea. — Continued. 

Milkwort,  278,  467,  509. 

Parsley,  106. 

Pink,  280,  467. 

Poppy,  169,  475. 

Purslane,  307,  466,  511. 

Rocket,  310,  467,  512. 
Sea-beach  Sandwort,  64,  467. 
Seal,  Golden  74. 
Seaside  Crowfoot,  163,  467,  507. 

Gerardia,  289. 

Knotweed,  58,  251,  466. 

Spurge,  34,  467. 
Sedum  acre,  171,  484,  507. 

purpureum,  312,  484,  515. 

ternatum,  83,  489,  503. 
Seedbox,  194,  464,  508. 
Self-heal,  337,  477,  510. 
Seneca  Snakeroot,  90,  480,  504. 
Senecio  aureus,  236,  473. 

vulgaris,  235,  478,  514. 
Senna,  Wild  177,  459,  472,  512. 
Sensitive  Plant,   Wild     177,  475, 

479,  512. 
Seriocarpus  asteroides,   140,  481, 
492,  510. 

linifolius,  140,  481. 
Service  Berry,  397,  489,  504. 
Sessile-leaved  Twisted-stalk,  243, 

494- 
Sesuvium   maritimum,    307,   466, 

5ii. 
Shad  Bush,  397,  489,  504. 
Sheep  Laurel,  442,  464,  476,  509. 

Sorrel,  251,  482. 
Shepherd's  Purse,  79,  484,  501. 
Shield,  Water   307,  470. 
Shin  Leaf,  no,  490,  509. 
Shining  Willow,  377. 
Shooting  Star,  278,  496. 
Showy  Aster,  357,  477. 

Lady's  Slipper,  50,  371,  506. 

Orchis,  246,  494,  502. 
Shrub,  Strawberry  451. 

Sweet-scented  451. 

Yellow  Root,  451, 458,  500. 
Shrubby   Bitter-sweet,   389,  459. 

Cinquefoil,  174,  475. 

St.  John's-wort,  430,  480,  512. 

Trefoil,  401,  484,  508. 
Shrubs,  376. 
Sickle  Pod,  81,  489,  507, 


INDEX 


Sicyos  angulatus,  423,  460,  514. 
Sida,   185. 

spinosa,  185,  480. 
Silcne  acaulis,  307,  488,  511. 
antirrhinu,  254,  474,  5°7- 
latifelia,  66,  474. 
noctiflora,  68,  474,  507. 
pennsylvanica,  256,  488,  500. 
stcllata,  66,  488. 
virginica,  256,  488,  507. 
Silkweed,  284,  328,  473. 
Silky  Cornel,  406,  464. 

Willow,  378. 
Silver-rod,    134,  477- 
Silver  Weed,  174,  463,  507. 
Silvery  Cinquefoil,  172,  475. 
Sisymbrium  altissimum,  170. 
officinale,  170,  479,  501. 
Thalianum,  79,  475,  501. 
Sisyrinchium  angustifolium,   302 
471,   502. 
gramineum,  302,  471,  500. 
Sium  cicutaefolium,  104,  464. 
Skullcap,    335,    49i»    5<>i,     5°5 
510. 
Hyssop  335,  467. 
Mad-dog  333,  459,  513. 
Marsh  335,  459. 
Small  335,  480. 
Skunk  Cabbage,  21,  461,  499. 

Currant,   385. 
Sleepy  Catchfly,  254,  474,  5"7- 
Slender  Aster,  364. 

Blue  Flag,  371,  ^2,  502. 
Gerardia,  289,  477- 
Ladies'  Tresses,  54,  462. 
Nettle,  25,  474. 
Northern  Bog  Orchis,  23. 
Purple  Fringed  Orchis,  246. 
Yellow  Flax,  181,  490. 
Slender-leaved    Golden-rod,    222, 

468  480. 
Sloe,  400,  475. 
Small  Bedstraw,  128,  465. 
Nettle,   25,   474- 
Purple    Fringed   Orchis,   246, 

462. 
Skullcap,  335,  4s' »• 
Solomon's     Seal,     156,     487, 

502. 
White    Lady's    Slipper,    462, 
502. 

54 


495, 


Smaller  Green  Dock,  27,  482. 

Whorled   Pogonia,    [60. 

Yellow    Lady's    Slipper,    159, 
462,    502. 
Small-flowered  Crowfoot,  164,  45s. 
vSmartweed,    Common     27,    458, 

483. 
Water  58,  251. 

Smilacina  raccmosa,  47,  471,  502. 

stellata,  47,  471,  502. 

trifolia,  48,  402,  502. 
Smilax  bona-nox,  377,  471. 

herbacca,  377,  458. 

hispida,  376. 

rotundifolia,  376,  471. 
Smooth  Alder,  381,  400. 

Aster,  360,  477. 

False  Foxglove,  206. 

Gooseberry,  384,  489. 

Sumach,  389,  476. 

Winterberry,  402,  472. 

Snakehead,  125,  473,  513. 

Snakeroot,    Black     73,    10: 

496,  512. 

Button  357. 

Large  357,  477- 

Seneca  90,  480. 

Virginia  305,  495. 

White  132,  496. 
Snake's  Mouth,  248. 
Snapdragon,    125,   346, 

513- 
Sncezeweed,    Autumn 

517- 
Snowberry,  421,  492,  510. 

Creeping  114,  464,  4(>'' 
Snow-on- the- Mountain,  90,  484. 
Soapwort,  250,  475. 
Soft  Willow  Herb,  273. 
Solanum  carolinense,  344,  480. 

Dulcamara,  456,  473i  $l°- 

nigrum,  123,  485,  513. 
Solidago  arguta,  222,  492,  516. 

bicolor,  134.  477,  514.  5i6. 

caesia,  214,  492. 

canadensis,  2l8,    196,   514. 
Elliottii,  220,  465,  517. 
Sstulosa,  218,  49-^ 
gigantea,   220.        ^t> 
graminifolia,  222,  465,  5*6. 

hispida,  214,  477,  4S0,  51  4. 

juna  a,  220,  492. 


374,   477, 
234.    460, 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Solidago. — Continued. 

latifolia,  214,  496. 

neglecta,  222,  465/516. 

nemoralis,  218,  477,  514. 

odora,  216,  477,  514. 

patula,  220,  465,  516. 

puberula,  216,  477,  516. 

rugosa,  216,  496,  516. 

sempervirens,  222,  467,  516. 

serotina,  220,  473,  496,  514. 

speciosa,  216,  492,  517. 

squarrosa,  214,  492. 

stricta,  218,  492,  517. 

tenuifolia,  222,  468,  480,  516. 

uliginosa,  220,  465. 

ulmifolia,  216,  492,  516. 
Solomon's  Seal,  False  47,  471. 
Great  156,  458,  506. 
Small  156,  487,  502. 
Three-leaved,  48,  462. 
Sonchus  arvensis,  239,  478. 
Sorrel,  Common  Wood  89,  508. 

Field  251,  482. 

Lady's  181,  484. 
.. Sheep  251,  482. 

Violet  Wood  319,  490,  508. 

Yellow  Wood  181. 
Sour-top  Blueberry,  417. 
Southern  Fox  Grape,  392. 

T  way  blade,  160. 
Sow  Thistle,  Field  239,  478. 
Spanish  Buttons,  368,  478,  515. 

Needles,  232,  473,  517. 
Sparganium  eurycarpum,  40,  457, 
469,   506. 

minimum,      40,      457,      469, 
506. 

simplex,  38,  457,  469,  506. 
Spearmint,  344,  460,  510. 
Spearwort,  Low  164,  462. 

Water  Plantain  164,  462,  507. 
Speckled  Alder,  382,  462. 
Specularia  perfoliata,  352,  480. 
Speedwell,  Common  350. 

Marsh  350,  465,  505. 

Purslane  127. 

Thyme-leaved  350,  485,  505. 

Water  348,  460,  510. 
Spergula  arvensis,  62,  488. 
Spergularia,  507. 

marina,  253,  466. 

rubra,  253,  479. 


Spice  Bush,  427,  495. 
Spider-flower,  81,  260,  484. 
Spiderwort,  298,  457. 

Mountain  299. 
Spigelia    marilandica,    373,    496, 

505. 
Spiked  Centaury,  282,  467. 

Lobelia,  355. 

Loosestrife,  269,  472. 
Spikenard,  98,  496,  513. 

False  47,  471,  502. 
Spiny  Cocklebur,  224,  485. 
Spiraea  latifolia,  475. 

salicifolia,  395,  472. 

tomentosa,     437,     472,     475, 
512. 
Spiranthes  Beckii,  52,  474,  515. 

cernua,  54,  462,  517. 

gracilis,  52,  474,  511. 

praecox,  54,  466,  515. 
Spirodela  polyrhiza,  22,  469. 
Spoon  wood,  410. 
Spotted  Cowbane,  104,  464. 

Spurge,  92,  265. 

Touch-me-not,  185,  459,  508. 

Wintergreen,  274,  490,  509. 
Spreading     Dogbane,     446,     491, 
509. 

Globeflower,  168,  463,  503. 
Spring  Beauty,  258,  488,  500. 

Cress,  80,  472,  503. 

Grass,  119. 

Vetch,  316,  484. 
Spurge,  Caper  34. 

Cypress  34. 

Family,  9. 

Flowering  92,  480,  512. 

Seaside  34,  467. 

Spotted  92,  265. 
Spurrey,  Corn  62,  483. 

Sand  253,  466,  479,  507. 
Squaw  Huckleberry,  415,  491. 
Squaw- root,  210,  498,  505. 
Squirrel  Corn,  77,  495,  500. 
Stachys    hyssopifolia,    339,    465, 
500. 

palustris,  339,  465. 

tenuifolia,  340,  465,  500. 
Staff  Tree,  389. 
Stag-bush,  423. 
Stagger-bush,  412,  472. 
Stag-horn  Sumach,  387,  476. 


548 


[NDEX 


Staphylea  trifolia,  403,  495i  5<>4- 
Star,  Blazing  357-  47'- 

Flower,  1 1 6,  505. 

Grass,  50,  157,  47 1,  4*7.  502, 

5ii- 

of  Bethlehem,  46,  482,  499. 

Shooting  278,  496. 

Thistle,  368. 
Star-grass,  Water  149,  469. 
Starry  Campion,  66,  488. 
Starwort,  Swamp  65,  462. 

Water  34,  472. 
Steeple  Bush,  437,  472,  475. 
Steironema    ciliatum,    200,    473, 

509. 
Stellaria  borealis,  65,  472,  503. 

longifolia,  65,  483. 

media,  64,  483. 

uliginosa,  65,  402. 
Stemless  Lady's  Slipper,  244,  488 

502. 
Stickseed,  330,  476. 
Stiff  Cornel,  406,  404. 

Gentian,  326,  491. 

Water  Crowfoot,  69,  470. 
Stinging  Nettle,  25,  474. 
Stitchwort,  Long-leaved  65,  483. 

Northern    65,  472,  503. 
Stone  Clover,  313,  475. 
Stonecrop,  83,  489,  503. 

Diteh  31,  171,  458,  512. 

Mossy  171,  484,  507. 
Stone-root,  202,  496. 
Storax,  417,  459,  491- 
Strawberry  Bush,  455,  459,  508. 
Running,  456. 

Shrub,  451. 

Tomato,  203,  485. 

Wild  86,  472,  475. 
Streptopus  amplexiiolius,  48,  494, 
502. 

roseus,  243,  494,  502. 
Striped  Violet,  96. 
Strophostyles   helvola,   454,   459, 
508. 

umbellata,  454. 
Stylophorum  diphvllum,  [68,  195, 

503. 
Stylosantnes    binora,     180,    4y°. 

508. 
Styrax  americana,  418,  45' >• 
grandifolia,  417,  491. 


Styrax  pulverulenta,  418,  \<)\. 
Succory,  369,  47*. 
Sueda  linearis,  2<>,  400. 
Sumach,  508. 

Dwarf  3<s9-  490,  512. 

Mountain  389. 

Poison  387,  403. 

Smooth  389,  47''. 

Stag-horn   387,    470. 
Summer  Grape,  392,  4<;<>. 

Sav<»rv ,  341.  4y5- 
Sundew,    Long -leaved    ^3,    463» 

507- 

Round-leaved  81,  403,  507. 

Threa<  1-leavrd  312,  463,  507. 
Sundrops,  195,  476,  509. 
Sunflower,  460,  517. 

Brook  232. 

Narrow-leaved  22^,  465. 

Rough  230. 

Swamp   234. 

Tall   228. 

Tickseed  234,  465,  517. 

Wild  228,  465. 

Woodland  230,  492. 
Susan,  Black-eyed  226. 
Swamp  Beggar-ticks,  232,  465. 

Birch,  381,  462. 

Blackberry,  Running  400,472. 

Black  Currant,  384,  463. 

Blueberrv,  417,  465. 

Buttercup,    165,    47-.    5"3- 

Dock,  26,  462. 

Fly    Honevsueklr,    436,    4<>.S, 

505- 
Gooseberry,  384. 
Honeysuckle,     White      411, 

4<>;- 
Loosestrife,  269,  323,  464. 
Milkweed,  282,  465,  513. 
Pink,  298,  441,  461. 
Privet,  431,  459. 
R      .  437. 

Rose  Mallow,  265,  463,  512, 
Saxifrage,  31,  472,  5»3« 

Starwort,  65,  462. 

Sunflower,  234. 
Thistle,  367,  4"> 
Sweet  Bay,  503. 

Cicely,  [02,  490,  504. 

Clover,    [80,  470. 

Pern,  380,  474- 


.S4<) 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


Sweet. — Continued. 
Flag,  22,  457. 
Gale,  379,  462. 
Golden-rod,  216,  514. 
Pepper  Bush,  408,  472. 
Scabious,  138,  485. 
Violet,  322. 
White  Violet,  94,  459. 
William,     Wild      284,     459, 
496,   510. 
Sweetbrier,  439,  475. 
Sweet-scented  Bedstraw,  36,  128, 
492. 

Grape,  392,  459. 
Shrub,  451. 
Symphoricarpus   racemosus,    421, 

492,   510. 
Symplocarpus   foetidus,    21,    461, 

499- 
Synnga,  394,  458,  484. 

Large-flowered  394,  484. 


Taenidia  integerrima,  197,  490. 
Tail,  Lizard's  56,  462. 
Tall  Blueberry,  417. 

Buttercup,     166,     483,     503, 
507. 

Cinquefoil,  172,  475. 

Crowfoot,  166. 

Larkspur,  310,  489,  512. 

Leafy      Green      Orchis,     23, 

494- 

Meadow  Rue,  69,  472,  512. 

Sunflower,  228. 

Thistle,  367,  478. 

Tickseed  Sunflower,  234,  465. 
Tan  Bay,  404. 

Tanacetum  vulgare,  234,  486. 
Tangle,  Blue  444,  496. 
Tansy,  Common  234,  486. 
Tape  Grass,  469. 
Taraxacum  officinale,  237,  502. 
Tare,  316. 

Hairy  89,  317,  452. 
Tartarian  Honeysuckle,  420,  485, 

505. 
Tea,  Appalachian  422. 

Labrador  408. 

New  Jersey  404,  490. 

Oswego  289,  460. 


Tear- thumb,  471. 

Arrow-leaved  58,  471. 

Halberd-leaved  58,  471. 
Tecoma  radicans,  433,  473,  516. 
Tephrosia  hispidula,  261,  479,  504. 

spicata,  261,  479,  504. 

virginiana,  260,  479,  504,  508. 
Tetragonotheca  helianthoides,  226, 

.477,  511. 

Teucrium    canadense,    287,    473, 

513. 
Thalictrum  dasycarpum,  307,  472. 

dioicum,  30,  488,  500. 

polygamum,  69,  472,  512. 
Thaspium  aureum,  197,  490. 

barbinode,  197,  459,  504. 
Thimbleberry,  398. 
Thimble  Weed,  226. 
Thimbleweed,  30,  71,  488,  503. 
Thistle,  Bull    366,  367,  478,  514. 

Canada  367,  486. 

Common  366,  478. 

Cotton  368,  478. 

Field  Sow  239,  478. 

Musk  366,  478,  511. 

Pasture  367,  478. 

Plumed  366. 

Roadside  367,  478. 

Russian  29,  483. 

Scotch  368,  478,  514. 

Star  368. 

Swamp  367,  465. 

Tall  367,  478. 

Yellow  236,  468,  481,  511. 
Thorn  Apple,  124. 

Dwarf  398,  479. 

Pear  398. 
Thorny  Amaranth,  29,  483. 
Thoroughwort,  130,  465,  473,  516. 

Hyssop-leaved  130,  480. 
Thread-leaved  Sundew,  312,  463, 

507. 

Three-leaved  Solomon's  Seal,  48, 

462. 
Three-seeded    Mercury,    33,    476, 

512. 
Thyme,  Creeping  342,  480,  485. 
Thyme-leaved  Sandwort,  64,  479. 

Speedwell,  350,  485,  505. 
Thymus  serpyllum,  342,  480,  485. 
Tiarella  cordifolia,  85,  489,  501. 
Tickseed,  296,  465,  514. 


550 


INDEX 


Tickseed  Sunflower,  Tall  234,  465, 

517 

Tick  Trefoil,  313,  489,  508. 
Tiger  Lily,  152,  482. 
Tillaea  aquatica,  31,  458,  512. 
Tipularia  discolor,   24,   305,   494, 

507. 
Toadflax,  204,  510. 

Bastard  56,  474,  503. 

Blue  346,  480. 
Tobacco,  Indian  353,  477. 
Tomatillo,  203,  485. 
Tomato,  Strawberry  203,  485, 
Tooth  wort,  80,  311,  495. 

Slender  311. 
Touch-me-not,  183,  459,  512. 

Spotted  185,  459,  508. 
Tower  Mustard,  81,  475,  503. 
Tradescanti  montana,  299. 

virginiana,  298,  457. 
Tragopogon  pomfolius,  296, 486. 

pratensis,  237,  47s. 
Trailing  Arbutus,    no,   270,   491, 

501. 
Treacle  Mustard,   170. 
Trefoil,  Shrubby  401,  484,  508. 

Tick,  313. 
Tresses,  Ladies'  52. 

Slender  Ladies'  54. 
Trichostema     dichotomum,     333, 

477- 

hneare,  333,  477. 
Trientalis    amerieana,     116,    491, 

505. 
Trifolium  agrarium,  179,  475. 

arvense,  313,  475. 

procumbens,  180,  475. 

repens,  89,  475. 
Triglochin  maritima,  20,  461,  502. 
Trilisa  odoratissima,  294,  492. 
Trillium  cernuum,  50,  494,  500. 

e rectum,  244,  494,  500. 

grandiflorum,  48,  494,  500. 

Painted  50,  494. 

undulatum,  50,  494,  5<><>. 
Triosteum  perfoliatum,  352,  4^>. 
Trollius  laxus,  168,  463,  503. 
True  Forget-me-not,  330,  459. 
Trumpet  Creeper,  433. 

Honeysuckle,  437,  485,  505. 

Weed,  294,  173. 
Trumpet-flower,  433,  473,  516. 

55 


Trumpet  .,  501. 
Tuber  Aster,  364. 
Tumble  Mustaro,  170. 
Tumble  weed,  30. 
Turk's-cap  Lily,  152,  471. 
Turnip,  Indian  20. 
Turtlenead,  125,  473 
Tussilago  Farfara,  235,   \<>n. 
Twayblade,  24,  160,  304,  402,  488, 

494.    507. 

Southern  160,  494. 
Twin-flower,  130,  292,  490,  510. 
Twinleaf,  74,  4H9,  500. 
Twisted-stalk,  48,  404,  502. 

Sessile-leaved  243,  494,  302. 
Typha  angustifolia,  375,  401,517. 

latifoha,  374,  461,  517. 


U 


Umbelled  Aster,  138,  496. 
Umbrella  Leaf,  75,  403,  503. 
Upland  Bonesct,  132,  492,  516. 
CJrtica  dioica,  25,  474. 

gracilis,  25,  474. 

urens,  25,  474. 
Utricularia  cornuta,  210,  470. 

inflata,  209,  470. 

purpurea,  350,  470. 

resupinata,  351 ,  470. 

subulata,  209,  470. 

vulgaris,  209,  470. 
Uvulariagrandiflora,  150,  49 

perfoliata,  150,  494,  500. 


Vaccinium  arboreum,  415,  480. 

canadense,   417,   465. 

corymbosum,  417,  41)5. 

macrocarpon,  276,  465. 

Oxycoccus,  27(1,  (65. 

pennsylvanicum,  417,  491. 

stamineum,  415,  401 . 

vaeillans,  417,  491. 

virgatum,  413,  444,  4' .5. 
Valerian,  Greek  328,  491. 

Yalisneria  spiralis,   469. 
Vanilla  Plant,  294,  402. 
Variegated  Plowa  .  371 . 
Velvet  beat,  i  85 
Blueberry,  417. 


HARPER'S    GUIDE    TO    WILD    FLOWERS 


Venus's  Looking-glass,  352,  480. 
Veratrum  viride,  23,  462,  500. 
Verbascum    Blattaria,    124,    204, 

477- 

Lychnitis,  124,  204,  477. 

Thapsus,  204,  477. 
Verbena  angustifolia,  331,  480. 

hastata,  331,  473. 

officinalis,  331. 

urticaefolia,   120,  477,  510. 
Vernonia  noveboracensis,  355,  473, 

516. 
Veronica    americana,     348,     460, 
510. 

Anagallis-aquatica,  348,  460, 
510. 

officinalis,  350. 

peregrina,  127. 

scutellata,  350,  465,  505. 

serpyllifolia,  350,  485,  505. 

virginica,  127,  496,  513. 
Vervain,  480. 

Blue  331,  473. 

European  331. 

White  120,  476,  510. 
Vetch,   459. 

Blue  452,  480,  508. 

Hairy  89,  317,  452,  476. 

Spring  316,  484. 
Vetchling,  459. 

Marsh,  317. 
Viburnum  acerifolium,   422,   492, 

505. 

alnifolium,  421,  505. 

cassinoides,  422,  465,  505. 

dentatum,  422,  465,  510. 

Opulus,     var.     americanum, 
421,  496,  510. 

prunifolium,  423,  480,  505. 

pubescens,  422,  492,  505. 
Vicia  americana,  453,  484. 

caroliniana,  452,  459. 

Cracca,  452,  480,  508. 

hirsuta,  89,  317,  476. 

sativa,  316,  484. 

tetrasperma,  317,  476. 
Vinca  minor,  326,  485,  501. 
Vines,  376. 
Viola  blanda,  96,  495,  504. 

canadensis,  373,  490. 

conspcrsa,  323,  472. 

cucullata,  322,  472,  504. 


Viola. — Continued. 

lanceolata,  94,  464,  504. 
odorata,    322. 

pallens,  94,  459. 

palmata,  322,  490. 

pedata,  321,  476,  504. 

primulifolia,  96,  467. 

pubescens,  193,  490,  504. 

rostrata,  322,  490. 

rotundifolia  193,  495. 

sagittata,  321,  472. 

striata,  96,  472. 

tricolor,  322,  373,  485. 
Violet,  Arrow-leaved  321,  472. 

Bird-foot  321,  476,  504. 

Canada  373,  490. 

Common  Blue  472. 

Dog  323,  472. 

Dog's-tooth  154. 

Downy  Yellow  193,  490,  504. 

Early  Yellow  193,  495. 

English  322. 

Green  94,  495. 

Lance-leaved  94,  464,  504. 

Long-spurred  322,  490. 

Pale  96,  472. 

Primrose-leaved  96,  467. 

Round-leaved  193,  495. 

Striped  96. 

Sweet  322,  504. 

Sweet  White  94,  459. 

Water  116,  470,  505. 

White  Dog's-tooth  46,471,499. 

Wood  Sorrel,  319,  490,  508. 
Viper's  Bugloss,  331,  476,  510. 
Virginia  Creeper,  390,  490. 

Snakeroot,  305,  495,  511. 
Virginian  Cowslip,  330,  459,  501. 
Virgin's  Bower,  392,  458,  512. 

Purple  450. 
Vitis  aestivalis,  392,  490.  . 

cordifolia,  392,  459. 

labrusca,  391,  490. 

rotundifolia,  392,  459. 

vulpina,  392,  459. 


W 


Waahoo,  455,  476. 

Wake  Robin,  244,  300,  494,  500. 

Large-flowered  48,  494. 
1  Nodding  50,  494. 

552 


INDEX 


Water  Andromeda,  412. 

Arum,  42,  461. 

A vcns,  312,  463,  47-^- 

Chinquapin,    163. 

Cress,  79,  463. 

Crowfoot,     Common     Win  to 
68,   470,    507- 
StifE  69,  470. 
Yellow  163,  470. 

Dock,  Great  26,  462. 

Hemlock,  104,  4O4. 

Horehound,  123.  473,  513, 

Hyssop,  347,  460. 

Lily,  68,  469,  507. 

Lobelia,  355,  460. 

Marigold,  234,  470,  517. 

Milfoil,  35.  470- 
Low,  324,  470. 

Mint,  344,  460. 

Nymph,  68,  469. 

Parsnip,  104,  464. 

Pennywort,  100,  464,  470. 

Pepper,  27,  458,  483. 
Mild  252,  458. 

Pimpernel,   116,  459. 

Plantain,  40,  243,  457,  515. 
Spearwort,  164,  462,  507. 

Purslane,  271,  464. 

Shield,  307,  470. 

Smartweed,  58,  251. 

Speedwell,  348,  460,  510. 

Star-grass,   149,  469. 

Starwort,  34,  472. 

Violet,  116,  470,  505. 

Willow,   269,   323. 
Waterleaf,  118,  496. 
Water- weed,  40,  457. 
Wavy-leaf  Aster,  359. 
Waxberry,  379. 
Waxwork,  389,  459. 
Weed,  Bugle  121,  465,  473. 

Carpet  62,  458. 

Dyer's  31,  475- 

Joe  Pye  294,  473,  516. 
Mermaid  35,  459. 
Pigmy  31,  458. 

Trumpet  294. 
Weld,  Dyer's  31,  475. 
Wheat,  Cow  208. 
Whin,  428,  4H4. 
White  Alder,  408,  490. 
Avens,  87,  495. 


White.  —Continued. 

Baneberry,  73,  4<>.s.  500. 
Campion,  66,  474. 
Clintonia,  47,  494. 
Oov<  r,  89,  475. 

Daisy,    144. 

Dock,  26,  466. 

ith  Violet,  46,  471, 

499- 
Fringed  <  )i\  his,  52,  462. 
Heath  Aster,  134,  477.  4°*« 
Hellebore,  23,  jfc, 
Hibiscus,  94,  463,  512. 
Lettui  e,   14''.  515- 
Melilot,  89,  476. 
Milkweed,  374. 
Mullein,    124,   477. 
Mustar>l,    [69,  484. 

Poppy,  75,  310,  483. 
Snakeroot,   132,  496- 
Swamp     Honeysuckle,     411, 
464. 

Vervain,    120,  477,  510. 

Violet,  Sweet  94,  459. 

Water  Crowfi  n  it ,  ( '« 'innion  68. 
White-topped    Aster,     140,    481, 

492,  510. 
White- weed,  144,  478,  4'v<>- 

Whitlow  Grass,  77,  475.  501. 

Whorled  Aster,  138. 
Clematis,  450,  489. 
Loosestrife,  198,  480. 
Milkwort,  90,  47''- 
Pogonia,  160,  488,  502. 
Smaller  [60. 

Whorled-leaved    Milkweed,    118, 

491. 
Whortleberry,  Black  44-- 
Wicky,  442.  4<M.  47(1- 
Wicopy,  431,  496.  5°i- 
Wild  Allspice.  427.  472,  499- 

Bachelors  Button,  183. 

Balsam-apple,  424,  460,  514. 

Bean,  453,  490,  512. 
Pink  454. 

Trailing  454. 

Bcrgamot,      121,     4#°.    485» 

Black  Cherry,  401. 

Currant,  384. 
Calla,   .\2. 

Carrot,  108,  4^5- 
553 


HARPER'S   GUIDE    TO   WILD    FLOWERS 


Wild. — Continued.  i 

Coffee,  352,  496. 
Columbine,  372,  488,  500. 
Cranesbill,  262,  490,  501. 
Garlic,  46,  471. 
Geranium,  262,  319. 
Ginger,  305,  495,  500. 
Grape,  504. 
Hydrangea,  395,  489. 
Indigo,  179,  489,  508. 
Ipecac,  33,  504. 
Leek,  46,  494. 
Lettuce,   146,  239,  478,  497, 

515. 

Lupine,  313,  479,  504. 

Marjoram,  341,  477. 

Mignonette,   31. 

Monkshood,  310,  458,  507. 

Morning  Glory,  448. 

Orange-red  Lily,  152,  487. 

Parsnip,  198,  476. 

Peppergrass,  79,  475 •  5<>7- 

Pink,  256,  488,  500. 

Plum,  400. 

Potato- vine,  419,  480. 

Raisin,  422,  465. 

Red  Plum,  400. 
Raspberry,  398. 

Roses,  508. 

Sarsaparilla,  98,  496,  504. 

Senna,  177,  459.  472,  512. 

Sensitive    Plant,     177,    475, 
479,  512. 

Strawberry,  86,  472,  475,  501. 

Sunflower,  228,  465. 

Sweet     William,     284,     459, 
496,   510. 

Yam-root,  425,  471. 

Yellow  Lily,  154,  471. 
Plum,  400. 
Willow,  Bog  378. 

Dwarf  Gray  378,  474. 

Glaucous  378,  458. 

Glossy  377. 

Prairie  377,  474. 

Pussy  378. 

Sage  378. 

Shining  377. 

Silky  378,  458. 

Water  269,  323. 
Willow  Herb,  98,  269,  490. 

Downy  273. 


Willow  Herb. — Continued. 

Great  271. 

Long-leaved  273,  472. 

Purple-leaved   273,  472. 

Soft  273,  464. 
Wind  Flower,  71. 
Winged  Monkey  Flower,  348,  473. 
Winter  Cress,  Common  171,  472. 
Winterberry,  401,  472. 

Smooth  402,  472. 
Wintergreen,  Chickweed  116,  491. 

Creeping  112,  491. 

Flowering  262,  490. 

Spotted  274,  490,  509. 
Witch-hazel,  428,  495,  515. 
Witch  Hobble,  421. 
Withe-rod,  422,  465,  505. 
Woad- waxen,  428. 
Wood  Anemone,  71,  488,  500. 

Betony,  374,  492,  504. 

Lily,   152. 

Mint,  341,  491. 

Nettle,  25. 

Sage,  287,  473. 

Sorrel,  Common  89,  508. 
Violet  319,  508. 
Yellow  181. 
Woodbine,  390,  490. 

American  448,  485. 

Italian  448,  485. 

Rough  436. 
Woodland  Sunflower,  230,  492. 
Woolly  Pipe  Vine,  450,  495,  507- 
Worm-grass,  373. 
Wormseed  Mustard,  170,  458,  5 1 2. 
Wormwood,  235,  478. 

Roman,  36,  485. 
Woundwort,  339,  465. 


Xanthium  echinatum,  226,  468. 

spinosum,  224,  485. 
Xyris  arenicola,  149,  461. 

caroliniana,  149,  461. 

fimbriata,  149,  461. 

flexuosa,  147,  461. 


Yam-root,  Wild  425,  471. 
Yarrow,   143,  478. 

554 


INDEX 


Yaupon,  402,  495. 
Yellow       Adder's-tongue,        1 54, 
471. 
Avens,  174,  512. 
Clintonia,  156,  494. 
Clover,  179,  475. 
Daisy,  481. 
Dock,  26,  482. 
Flax,  181. 

Grooved  181,  490. 
Slender  181,  490. 
Fringed  Orchis,  162,  462. 
Jasmine,   432. 
Jessamine,  432,  473,  499. 
Lady's  Slipper,   Larger    160, 
371,  488. 
Smaller  159. 
Lily,  Wild  154,  471. 
Melilot,    180,  476. 
Mountain      Saxifrage,      171, 
489.  507. 


Yellow. — Continued. 

Nelumbo,  163. 

Passion  Flower,  431,  496. 

Plum,  Wild  400. 

Pond  Lily,   162,  469. 

Puccoon,  74,  495. 

Rattle,  208,  467,  480. 

Rocket,  171,  472. 

Thistle,  236,  468,  481,  511. 

Water  Crowfoot,  163,  470. 

Wood  Sorrel,   181. 
Yellow-eyed  Grass,  147. 

Carolina   149. 

Fringed  149. 
Yellow-root,  Shrub  451,  458. 


Zanthorhiza    apiifolia,    451,    45> 

500. 
Zizia  aurea,  198,  490,  504. 


THE  END 


f*OPEKTYC^ 

A.  &M.  COLLEGE  LIB,  ^ 


w** 


